Cuba, The Island Condemned to Sink

• Prize
  Curator Selection
• Photographer
  Antonio Cascio, Colombia
• Date of Photograph
  January - July / 2026
• Category
  Americas
• Instagram
  antonio.photografree

Cuba has been strangled for decades by a severe US economic blockade and harsh sanctions, intensified by Donald Trump since early 2026. As a result, power outages are frequent and prolonged; public services are failing, with trash piling up on the street and residents burning it. In addition, water is scarce, food prices are rising, and historic buildings are collapsing, forcing some people to live in the street. Young people who can’t leave are driven by desperation, and elders are the first victims. The UN warned months ago of a humanitarian “collapse” if the blockade doesn’t stop.

Antonio Cascio is an Italian freelance photojournalist based in Colombia. He works as a photographer stringer for Reuters News Agency and frequently contributes to The Guardian, alongside his journalist and life partner, Natalia Torres Garzón. He focuses his work on environmental justice, marginalised groups and indigenous communities. His photographs have been awarded at the Paris Photo Prize 2023-2024, IPA, BIFA, and EPA. His pictures have been published by The Guardian, Al Jazeera, El País, Mongabay News, Bloomberg, Earth Island, NACLA, Le Monde, CNN, BBC, Amnesty International, and others.

Awards "FESTIVAL DELLA FOTOGRAFIA ETICA 2026", FINALIST SINGLE SHOT, EXHIBITION AT THE FESTIVAL.

"HONORABLE MENTION AT THE IPA 2025, EDITORIAL, PRESS/ENVIRONMENTAL"

"STATE OF THE WORLD AWARD 2024 AT THE PX3, CURATORIAL SELECTION"

"STATE OF THE WORLD AWARD 2023 AT THE PX3, CURATORIAL SELECTION"

"SILVER PRIZE AT THE PX3 2023, CATEGORY: PRESS / GENERAL NEWS"

"SILVER PRIZE AT THE PX3 2023, CATEGORY: PRESS / POLITICAL"

"HONORABLE MENTION AT IPA 2023 EDITORIAL / PRESS / GENERAL NEWS"

"HONORABLE MENTION AT IPA 2023 EDITORIAL / PRESS / POLITICAL"

"PLATINUM WINNER AT THE EPA 2023, CATEGORY: EDITORIAL / GENERAL NEWS"