INTERNACIONAL
How a Rhodes Scholar with ties to Cuba’s president organized the convoy that brought Hasan Piker to Havana
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This article is the third installment in a three-part Fox News Digital investigative series examining allegations that the Communist Party of Cuba built and cultivated transnational influence networks inside through nonprofits, activist organizations, solidarity campaigns, labor unions, educational exchanges and political delegations.
When President Donald Trump intensified sanctions pressure on Cuba’s communist government earlier this year, Twitch streamer Hasan Piker said he turned to a friend for advice.
«I hit my friend up, David Adler, and I was like, ‘What do we do?’» Piker recalled in an online interview. «And he’s like, ‘I’m already working on it.’»
What followed, according to Piker’s own account, was the assembly of a transnational convoy that brought hundreds of activists, politicians, journalists and organizers from dozens of countries to Cuba, delivering an estimated 40 tons of supplies as part of a campaign branded «Nuestra América Convoy,» or «Our America Convoy.»
Progressive International’s general coordinator David Adler speaks during an event at the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples in Havana on March 21, 2026. (Ernesto Mastrascusa/AFP)
The remarks offer one of the clearest public disclosures to date of how the popular streamer became involved in a trip that is now drawing scrutiny from federal investigators. Fox News Digital exclusively reported a week ago that Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control recently issued administrative subpoenas to Piker and CodePink co-founder Medea Benjamin, seeking records related to their Cuba travel, communications and financial activity connected to the convoy, according to sources familiar with the investigation. The requests sought travel records, communications and financial records related to Cuba activities, including possible contacts with Cuban government personnel or entities.
Public attention surrounding the trip has largely focused appropriately on CodePink, Piker, Shanghai-based American Marxist tech tycoon Neville Roy Singham, and Singham’s wife, Jodie Evans, who posted a selfie photo with Piker in Havana. On Monday, Piker raised the attention of even U.S. officials when he said he believes the «real goal» of the Treasury Department investigation is Singham, because he funds «political operations» in the U.S.
But an analysis of hundreds of hours of Piker’s livestreams and interviews compiled by computer engineer Jennica Pounds, a data scientist known online as «Data Republican,» repeatedly points to a lesser-known organization that played a central role in planning the mission: Progressive International, run by Piker’s friend, Adler.
«What makes Progressive International so dangerous is that, by co-opting progressive values, it provides political legitimacy to authoritarian regimes with longstanding records of repression and gross human rights violations, and whose purpose is to destroy the United States,» said Gelet Martinez Fragela, a Cuban American journalist based in Boca Raton, Fla.
«That is precisely the propaganda strategy of the Cuban regime, which has historically used solidarity groups and activist networks as cover to build alliances, raise funds and maintain power while continuing to embed itself within illicit and anti-democratic networks around the world,» she told Fox News Digital.
Born in Cuba, Martinez Fragela has been investigating the government of Cuba’s influence in the Western Hemisphere for years, mapping the network it builds activists, nonprofits and governments to activate support for the Communist Party of Cuba. Her website, ADNCuba.com, is blocked on the island.
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Progressive International is one of the most important of the 145 nonprofits, labor groups, advocacy organizations and activist collectives that Fox News Digital identified as part of a network, mobilizing in support of the Cuban government and the Communist Party of Cuba. Together, the organizations report about $1 billion in combined annual revenue. They are rallying this week to run to the streets in support of Cuba if the U.S. wages military action on the country.
Founded in 2020, Progressive International emerged from a political initiative launched by Democratic Sen. Bernie Sanders, a member of the increasingly powerful Democratic Socialists of America, and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, a far-left politician, after a gathering of activists in Burlington, Vt., from Nov. 29 through Dec. 1, 2018, where organizers called for a new «international progressive movement.» Adler was at the meeting.
Today Adler leads a 501(c)(3) nonprofit called Progressive International Exchange Inc., based in Calabasas, Calif., with EIN 93-3021918. Its most recent IRS Form 990 reported only $261,039 in annual revenue and $215,772 in net assets. It isn’t clear if the U.S. nonprofit is related to the «Progressive International» coalition, which is based in Athens, Greece, coordinating massive mobilizations, like the Cuba convoy, conferences and public actions. Progressive International and Adler didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Portrait of David Adler, member of DiEM25´s Coordinating Collective and coordinator of the Progressive International movement before a panel discussion of DiEM25 on January 24, 2019 in Berlin, Germany. (Till Rimmele/Getty Images)
At the center of the organization is Adler, who was born in Encino, Calif., graduated from Brown University, where he was a Rhodes Scholar, and trained at Oxford University as a political economist. He previously directed policy for Varoufakis’ «Democracy in Europe Movement,» known as «DiEM25,» and served on Sanders’ foreign policy advisory team before becoming Progressive International’s general coordinator.
In 2024, Germany actually barred Varoufakis for leading polarizing anti-Israel protests with local Palestinians. Varoufakis wrote that the decision reflected Germany’s «turn to repression.»
According to the public record, Adler occupies an unusual position inside the Cuba solidarity movement, with close ties with the Communist Party of Cuba. Last year, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel publicly intervened on Adler’s behalf when Israeli authorities detained him when he joined a flotilla to Israel, supposedly carrying «aid» to Palestinians in Gaza. A Jewish American, Adler shared a video of himself from the boat awkwardly calling his parents to tell them that he was on the flotilla to Gaza.
Qatar’s state-funded anti-Israel TV network, Al Jazeera, shared the video on social media with childhood photos of Adler and its own propaganda spin, writing, «David Adler called his parents from the deck of a flotilla boat to tell them he had joined the mission to Gaza. He is one of many Jewish activists who say they can no longer stay on the sidelines.»
In much the same way, the convoy to Cuba was blasted to the world from Havana with an anti-U.S. propaganda theme, criticizing America’s «imperialism.»
During the convoy’s visit to Cuba in March, Adler could be seen in a VIP seat beside Díaz-Canel, as the president listened politely to Adler and later pumped his fist in the air during an event sponsored by the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, known as ICAP.
As reported, generations of activists traveled to Cuba through labor brigades, educational exchanges, solidarity delegations and political tours organized through institutions connected to the Cuban state, including the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, or ICAP, and the Venceremos Brigade, now a fiscally-sponsored project of the People’s Forum in the Singham network. It’s led today by Fernando González Llort, one of the «Cuban Five» intelligence officers convicted in the United States on espionage-related charges.
A spokesperson from the Embassy of Cuba told Fox News Digital that it isn’t engaged in any operations of malign foreign influence and is simply trying to protect the state’s sovereignty.
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An advisory council of Progressive International includes Mariela Castro Espín, a member of Cuba’s National Assembly and the daughter of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, indicted earlier this month by the U.S. for murder.
«That fact that Mariela Castro has a position of power with Progressive International is not insignificant,» said Martinez Fragela, the Cuban American journalist. «In plain terms, it means that a member of the Castro family, a senior figure within the Cuban Communist Party, a member of Cuba’s National Assembly of People’s Power, and part of the broader Cuban political apparatus is involved in guiding the direction of the organization.»
In one interview, Piker described himself as «good friends» with Progressive International organizers. In another, he identified Adler and Varoufakis by name when discussing the organization. Adler later appeared on Piker’s livestream, where Piker described him as «someone who I have the honor of calling a comrade.»
Adler replied, «Thanks, brother. It’s a pleasure to be here.»
The organization’s role in the March convoy was extensive.
The Nuestra América Convoy wasn’t a spontaneous jaunt. Progressive International described it as an international operation involving approximately 650 delegates from 33 countries and 120 organizations. The mission combined charter flights, maritime flotillas and aid shipments carrying food, medicine, medical supplies and solar panels to Cuba.
Piker documented part of the operation himself and part of his defense against scrutiny for making the trip to Cuba is that he went as «a journalist.»
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Hasan Piker and Jodie Evans and Neville Roy Singham (Getty Images)
In his Cuba documentary, he showed himself boarding what he described as a «special plane» departing from Miami. It was the same plane that CodePink’s Benjamin filmed as the one CodePink’s delegation was flying to Cuba. In the film, Piker credited Progressive International, CodePink and the ANSWER Coalition for organizing the effort.
«Shout out Code Pink, Answer Coalition, Progressive International,» Piker said. «They set up a flight with medical aid, solar panels, food, numerous things that the Cuban population desperately needs.»
The participants included former British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, CodePink activists, labor organizers, international delegates and public figures from multiple countries. Before traveling, Piker said he consulted Ben Rhodes, former deputy national security adviser to President Barack Obama and a central figure in the administration’s Cuba normalization effort.
«I had talked to Ben Rhodes prior to going,» Piker said. «And he said to me like, ‘You’re going to be very sad when you see it.’» Piker repeated the story in multiple interviews and public appearances after returning from Havana.
After arriving in Havana, Piker said he largely embedded with «Belly of the Beast,» a media organization named for a term that is used by communists and far-leftists to describe operating inside the U.S., the so-called «beast» in their propaganda.
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Hasan Piker, a Democratic Socialists of America member, and CodePink co-founder Jodie Evans meet in Havana, Cuba, as part of a «United Front» supporting the communist regime. (CodePink via Storyful)
«I locked in with Belly of the Beast,» he later said. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Center for American Documentary Inc., based in Newton, Mass., serves as the fiscal sponsor for Belly of the Beast Films LLC, based in Ketchum, Idaho, according to public records. Tax filings show that Center for American Documentary gave Belly of the Beast $188,043 in 2024 for «film production services.»
Piker’s resulting propaganda documentary from Cuba features interviews with several senior Cuban officials and institutional leaders, including Carlos Fernández de Cossío, Cuba’s vice minister of foreign affairs, one of the country’s highest-ranking diplomats, representing the Communist Party of Cuba. Piker also interviewed officials connected to Cuba’s international medical missions as well as researchers working in the country’s health-care and energy sectors.
The convoy itself reflected a model that has existed inside the Cuba solidarity movement for decades.
Investigators examining the modern Cuba solidarity movement increasingly view the Nuestra América Convoy as the latest evolution of that infrastructure, using the cover of «humanitarian aid» for political advocacy, propaganda generation and distribution and activist networking in a single international operation.
The trip to Cuba was only one part of Progressive International’s activities.
In October 2025, when Adler participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla to Gaza, he was detained by Israeli authorities after vessels attempted to challenge Israel’s blockade. Following his release, Adler appeared on Piker’s livestream and described another Progressive International initiative known as the Hague Group.
«One of the things that we do at the Progressive International is help to coordinate a group that’s called the Hague Group,» Adler told Piker’s audience. He described it as a coalition of countries committed to taking action on behalf of international law and the Palestinian cause.
By March 2026, the Hague Group had grown into a coalition of approximately 40 countries coordinated through Progressive International’s organizational infrastructure.
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The overlap illustrates how the same organization that helped bring Piker to Cuba also operates across a broader network of international campaigns involving Cuba, Gaza and anti-sanctions activism.
Federal investigators aren’t examining protected political speech. Across thousands of transcripts, Piker consistently described the Cuba trip as a «humanitarian» mission and repeatedly stated that participants traveled under procedures authorized by Treasury. He has publicly maintained that he signed OFAC paperwork and complied with federal requirements.
Instead, investigators are examining communications, financial records, travel logistics and possible contacts with Cuban government personnel or entities connected to the convoy, according to sources familiar with the inquiry.
For investigators, the significance of the convoy extends beyond a single influencer’s trip to Havana.
The same organizations that organized the March mission — Progressive International, People’s Forum, CodePink and the ANSWER Coalition — repeatedly appear throughout the broader Cuba «solidarity» infrastructure. What began decades ago through organizations such as ICAP and the Venceremos Brigade now operates through a modern network of nonprofits, media projects, international delegations, activist campaigns and political organizations.
The March convoy that brought Piker to Cuba represents one of the most visible examples of that system in action, say Cuban Americans challenging the regime.
And, to them, Piker’s «comrade,» Adler, represents a critical part of the network trying to keep communism alive in Cuba.
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Fox News Digital’s Tessa Hoyos contributed to this report.
cuba, caribbean, fox news investigates, travel, globalism
INTERNACIONAL
“Nunca he conocido a nadie con menos talento para componer”: la lapidaria frase de Mick Jagger sobre un ex Rolling
El músico Brian Jones fundó The Rolling Stones en Reino Unido y formó parte del grupo desde 1962 hasta 1969. A pesar de su influencia en la creación de la banda, nunca logró componer ninguna de las canciones que integraron el repertorio oficial.
La dupla creativa de Mick Jagger y Keith Richards se consolidó como la fuerza compositiva detrás de los grandes éxitos del grupo, mientras Jones se mantuvo al margen de este proceso. El 3 de julio de 1969, a los 27 años, Jones falleció poco después de ser expulsado de la banda.
En comparación con otras agrupaciones como The Beatles, donde John Lennon y Paul McCartney lideraban la composición, pero George Harrison y Ringo Starr también aportaron, Jones nunca logró integrarse al núcleo creativo.
Según una entrevista publicada por la revista Rolling Stone, Jagger describió la relación entre los miembros y fue contundente sobre las habilidades compositivas de Jones.
De acuerdo a Jagger, “Brian se puso muy celoso cuando yo empecé a llamar la atención. Y sus celos se debían principalmente a que Keith y yo empezamos a componer canciones, y él no participaba. Para ser sincero, Brian no tenía ningún talento para componer. Ninguno. Nunca he conocido a nadie con menos talento para ello”, expresó el cantante.
Aunque Jones no participó en la creación de los temas, sí aportó a la identidad musical de The Rolling Stones.
Su destreza en la guitarra y otros instrumentos permitió que la banda desarrollara un sonido distintivo en los años sesenta. Según Indie Hoy, Jones grabó varios discos junto al grupo y se convirtió en una figura clave durante la primera etapa de la banda.
Su presencia en el escenario y su versatilidad instrumental lo posicionaron como uno de los músicos más completos de su generación. Sin embargo, la falta de aportes en la composición generó tensiones con el núcleo creativo y limitó su participación en el desarrollo artístico del grupo.
La rivalidad interna y los celos, según los testimonios de Jagger, marcaron la dinámica que llevó a la separación de Jones. La decisión de apartarlo se produjo luego de años de conflictos y diferencias artísticas.
Durante sus últimos años en la banda, Jones enfrentó diversos problemas personales. De acuerdo a Indie Hoy, su consumo de sustancias y dificultades legales afectaron su desempeño. La acumulación de conflictos internos y el deterioro de su salud lo alejaron progresivamente de las actividades del grupo.
A mediados de 1969, la banda decidió expulsarlo. Semanas después, el 3 de julio, Jones fue encontrado muerto en su casa de Sussex, Reino Unido.
Su fallecimiento, a los 27 años, lo convirtió en uno de los integrantes del llamado “Club de los 27”, junto a músicos como Jimi Hendrix y Janis Joplin. La noticia impactó en la escena musical internacional y marcó el cierre de una etapa para The Rolling Stones.
A pesar de no haber contribuido como compositor, Brian Jones dejó una huella profunda en la historia de la banda. Su capacidad para tocar múltiples instrumentos y su sensibilidad musical influyeron en el desarrollo del sonido de los primeros álbumes. Su figura sigue asociada a los orígenes del grupo y a la consolidación del rock británico en los años sesenta.
La historia de Jones muestra que el talento instrumental no siempre se traduce en creatividad compositiva. El liderazgo de Jagger y Richards en la escritura de canciones definió la dirección artística de The Rolling Stones, mientras Jones aportó desde el virtuosismo y la experimentación sonora.
Hoy, su paso por la banda se recuerda tanto por sus aportes musicales como por las dificultades personales que enfrentó.
La dualidad entre su talento y sus limitaciones como compositor explica parte de la dinámica interna que marcó el destino del grupo. Jones representa una figura clave en la construcción del mito de The Rolling Stones, a pesar de no haber escrito ninguna de sus canciones más icónicas.
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Schiff silent on Biden-era Newsom probe report as California AG claims DOJ ‘weaponization’
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta doubled down on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s claims that the Trump administration is weaponizing the Justice Department after being pressed on reports that the federal probe involving Newsom and his wife originated in California and was not opened by the Trump Administration in Washington, D.C.
«I know what I’ve concluded is that this is highly dubious — there’s no trust in it,» Bonta said. «This is someone who’s weaponized the U.S. DOJ time and time again. I think he’s doing it now.»
Newsom took to X on Monday to publicly announce his uncovering that he and his wife, Jen Siebel Newsom are being investigated by the DOJ, claiming President Donald Trump directed the DOJ to investigate them and that they’ve joined «Donald Trump’s hit list.»
GAVIN NEWSOM CLAIMS TRUMP ORDERED DOJ PROBE TARGETING HIM AND HIS WIFE
California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks next to his wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom at the California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento after the state’s special election on Proposition 50 on Nov. 4, 2025. (Fred Greaves/Reuters)
He is also widely claiming that Trump is targeting him because of recent speculation of Newsom as a promising 2028 presidential bid.
«Newsom is the governor for the biggest state, the bluest state in the nation, the fourth largest economy in the world,» Bonta said «Everyone knows that he could be president of the United States. So you put that situational awareness and context into this, and what do you conclude?«
Bonta told Fox News Digital that Trump has «weaponized» the Justice Department, saying it has shifted from pursuing criminal prosecutions to conducting «political persecutions against political enemies.»
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta on Thursday announced charges against 21 people suspected of participating in a massive hospice fraud ring. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
He also claimed that Trump ordered former Attorney General Pam Bondi «to go after his political enemies.»
«If that doesn’t destroy trust and make you doubt the intent behind this probe, I don’t know what else I can tell you,» Bonta said.
Bonta claimed Trump has used the DOJ to commit «political persecution» of his enemies, including a specific reference to «shifty Schiff.»
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., declined to answer questions from Fox News Digital about reports that the probe was opened by federal prosecutors in California rather than the administration in Washington.
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Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., appears on «Meet the Press» in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5, 2025. (Shannon Finney/NBC) via Getty Images)
Sources familiar told Fox News that the investigation has been ongoing since 2025 and that the probe is based on whistleblower complaints related to Newsom and his wife’s personal finances. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sacramento.
A source also said that Washington was not involved in the decision to open the probe, according to the Associated Press.
An investigation launched last year under then-President Joe Biden resulted in corruption charges against Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson. She pleaded guilty to lying about sharing internal information with a former associate. Newsom was not involved in the probe personally. It is reported that Newsom’s office believes the Trump administration’s federal investigators widened the efforts of the probe to also look into Newsom.
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The Governor’s office announced on Monday that it filed a public records request to the DOJ seeking documents that mention Newsom or his wife during Trump’s second term, including messages to and from Justice Department leaders.
Fox News’ David Spunt, Jake Gibson and Olivia Palombo contributed to this story.
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Two-train crash leaves at least 1 dead, 89 injured as emergency crews rush to chaotic scene
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Authorities are responding after two passenger trains crashed into each other Friday near Bedford, England, killing at least one person and injuring nearly 90 others.
The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called to a collision involving two trains at Elstow, near Bedford, at about 5:15 p.m. local time and quickly declared a «major incident.»
One person died at the scene, 11 people suffered very serious injuries, 22 were seriously injured and 56 people had minor injuries, officials said.
Bedford is roughly 60 miles north of London.
2 TRAINS COLLIDE IN DENMARK, LEAVING 5 PEOPLE CRITICALLY INJURED
Two passenger trains collided Friday in the United Kingdom. (Fox News)
All the patients with the most serious injuries have been taken from the scene to hospital.
The ambulance service said it sent numerous resources to the scene, including more than 20 ambulances, specialist hazardous area response teams and six air ambulances.
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Emergency crews were pictured working near the scene. (Fox News)
«Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we thank all emergency service colleagues for their swift response,» the ambulance service wrote in a statement.
The Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed its crews were also responding.
«Please avoid the area,» fire officials wrote in a statement on X.
Sources told The Telegraph the train driver was on the phone with maintenance staff discussing a safety issue at the time of the crash.
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This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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