Cuban officials criticise new US sanctions, calling them illegal and harmful, as tensions escalate between the two nations amid ongoing protests.
Cuban authorities have strongly condemned a new set of sanctions imposed by the United States government, labelling them as “illegal and abusive”. The sanctions were announced through an executive order signed by the former US President Donald Trump on Friday. This order specifically targets individuals in the energy, defence, financial, and security sectors of Cuba’s economy, as well as those accused of human rights violations or corruption.
The announcement coincided with protests held in Havana on International Workers Day, where demonstrators gathered outside the US Embassy to reject the ongoing blockade that has led to significant shortages of oil in Cuba. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez highlighted the detrimental impact of these sanctions on the Cuban populace and accused the US of imposing what he termed “collective punishment”.
Writing on the platform X, Rodriguez stated that these “unilateral coercive measures” are in flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter. He shared footage of the protests, asserting that the Cuban people would not back down. Rodriguez expressed concern that the measures were intended to apply pressure on the citizens of Cuba rather than address specific individuals or actions.
Trump has maintained a hardline stance on Cuba, articulating a desire to alter the current communist regime. In a speech delivered in Florida, he proclaimed intentions of escalating US involvement in the Caribbean island, suggesting that the US would assert control in a manner that appeared aggressive, though officials have yet to elaborate on these claims.
In response to the newly implemented sanctions, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged ongoing negotiations with the US regarding bilateral relations but condemned the blockade as harmful. He noted that the bolstered sanctions exacerbate already critical conditions within Cuba, leading to power outages that significantly disrupt services such as healthcare and education.
The sanctions come at a time when Cuba is experiencing a heightened fuel crisis, with only one Russian oil tanker reported to have reached the island since the blockade was tightened. The Ministry of Energy has announced that the ongoing shortages have been compounded by punitive economic measures from Washington, impacting daily life and public services across the country.
US-Cuban relations have been historically strained since the Cuban Revolution in 1959 when Fidel Castro, the then-revolutionary leader, overthrew a US-backed regime. Economic and trade sanctions from the US have been a fixture of the relationship for decades, limiting Cuba’s access to essential resources. This year marks the centenary of Castro’s birth, which has become a focal point for discussions about Cuba’s past and future.
The ongoing tension between Cuba and the US has raised questions about the future of diplomacy, particularly in light of rising rhetoric and military threats from the US administration. The Cuban government remains steadfast in its rejection of the sanctions, asserting that external pressure will not deter its resolve or the will of its people.
