Cuban FM Slams US Over Fuel Blockade Amid Rising Tensions

Havana, March 2026 : Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez sharply criticised the United States on Saturday for “blatantly lying” about a fuel blockade that has worsened Cuba’s ongoing economic and energy crisis, asserting that Washington’s claims contradict its own executive orders and actions. The Cuban government says the measures imposed by the US amount to a de facto blockade of fuel supplies to the island, a charge that highlights rising tensions between the two countries.

In a post on social media platform X, Rodríguez cited a January 29 US executive order and subsequent policy steps as evidence of aggressive measures targeting Cuba’s fuel access, accusing Washington of undermining the island’s energy stability. He said the US has threatened sanctions against third countries and foreign companies that supply oil to Cuba, while also engaging in actions perceived as hostile toward oil tankers bound for the island. According to Rodríguez, these policies aim to weaken Cuba’s economy, limit its development, cut off its income sources, and restrict access to global markets and technology.

Cuba has long faced economic challenges due to decades of US sanctions, but the current fuel shortage has intensified since early 2026 after the US targeted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba. Venezuela, a key energy partner, previously supplied a significant portion of Cuba’s oil, and disruptions following Washington’s intervention in Venezuela earlier this year have left Havana struggling with severe fuel scarcity and widespread blackouts. The United Nations has warned that the island’s fuel crisis is pushing parts of the country toward a humanitarian emergency.

Amid these pressures, US President Donald Trump has in recent weeks made provocative remarks about Cuba’s future, including stating that “Cuba is next,” following US military actions against Venezuela and ongoing tensions with Iran. At a conference in Miami, Trump said, “Cuba is next, by the way,” in a statement that was widely reported and interpreted as foreshadowing increased pressure on Havana.

The Trump administration’s approach has drawn concern from international observers, with humanitarian groups and experts warning that the fuel blockade is severely hampering basic services such as electricity, transportation, and public health. Cuba’s leadership maintains that the fight is not only for economic survival but also for national dignity and sovereignty in the face of what it calls unjust external pressure.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)