The US government, as stated by Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, has been urging governments globally to terminate bilateral healthcare initiatives with Cuba. This pressure has resulted in many communities losing access to essential health services, as highlighted by Fernandez de Cossio on Facebook. Additionally, the US is pushing other nations to alter their traditional stance against the US economic blockade and even avoid discussing the matter at the UN.
The United States is also successfully compelling other countries to adhere to Washington’s prohibition on exporting fuel to Cuba. Cuban authorities have condemned this energy blockade by the US, labeling it as a form of collective punishment and genocide. The consequences include prolonged daily power outages, transportation scarcities, and hindrances to economic operations.
Cuba, heavily reliant on fuel imports, has faced challenges due to the limited supply. In the last six months, the country has only received one oil tanker, the Russian Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil. Official sources indicate that Cuba typically requires approximately eight fuel tankers monthly to function normally.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump hinted at a potential shift in US policy towards Cuba during an event in North Dakota. Trump mentioned that Cuba was “coming our way” without elaborating on the statement or unveiling any new policies. This remark was made in the context of a broader discussion on Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy legacy and US influence in the Western Hemisphere.
