A US oil blockade is wreaking havoc on life in Cuba, forcing the communist government to ration fuel and cut electricity for most of the day. Families are struggling to cope with the crisis, with bus stops lying empty and households turning to wood and coal for cooking due to the near-constant power outages.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel has imposed strict emergency measures, including reduced office hours, cut fuel sales, and shorter school days. The Cuban government is prioritizing available fuel for essential services like public health, food production, and defense, while pushing for renewable energy sources.
The blockade, which has been in place since the Trump administration's return to power, has exacerbated Cuba's economic crisis. Venezuela, Cuba's closest ally, was forced to cut off oil shipments due to US pressure, leaving Cuba with a fuel shortage that threatens its very survival.
US officials have made it clear that they want to see regime change in Havana, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying "We would like to see the regime there change." The Cuban-American lobby, which Rubio represents, has significant influence over Trump's foreign policy decisions.
As Cuba struggles to cope with the crisis, the international community is calling for dialogue and respect for international law. The United Nations General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the US embargo on Cuba, while UN officials describe the situation as a "humanitarian emergency."
Cuba currently needs around 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but the US blockade has left it with enough fuel only to last 15-20 days at current levels of demand. The country's economic crisis is worsening by the day, with families struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine.
The blockade has been in place since 1959, when Fidel Castro overthrew a pro-US regime in Cuba. Since then, the US has imposed strict sanctions on the island nation, limiting its access to global markets and undermining its economy.
In recent years, there have been attempts to normalize relations between the US and Cuba, but they were reversed by Trump in 2017. The current blockade is one of the worst crises in Cuba's history, with the UN warning that if the situation does not improve, it could "worsen, and if not collapse."
President Miguel Diaz-Canel has imposed strict emergency measures, including reduced office hours, cut fuel sales, and shorter school days. The Cuban government is prioritizing available fuel for essential services like public health, food production, and defense, while pushing for renewable energy sources.
The blockade, which has been in place since the Trump administration's return to power, has exacerbated Cuba's economic crisis. Venezuela, Cuba's closest ally, was forced to cut off oil shipments due to US pressure, leaving Cuba with a fuel shortage that threatens its very survival.
US officials have made it clear that they want to see regime change in Havana, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying "We would like to see the regime there change." The Cuban-American lobby, which Rubio represents, has significant influence over Trump's foreign policy decisions.
As Cuba struggles to cope with the crisis, the international community is calling for dialogue and respect for international law. The United Nations General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the US embargo on Cuba, while UN officials describe the situation as a "humanitarian emergency."
Cuba currently needs around 100,000 barrels of crude oil per day, but the US blockade has left it with enough fuel only to last 15-20 days at current levels of demand. The country's economic crisis is worsening by the day, with families struggling to access basic necessities like food and medicine.
The blockade has been in place since 1959, when Fidel Castro overthrew a pro-US regime in Cuba. Since then, the US has imposed strict sanctions on the island nation, limiting its access to global markets and undermining its economy.
In recent years, there have been attempts to normalize relations between the US and Cuba, but they were reversed by Trump in 2017. The current blockade is one of the worst crises in Cuba's history, with the UN warning that if the situation does not improve, it could "worsen, and if not collapse."
man this us blockade on cuba is a total disaster fam they need fuel to run basic services like hospitals and schools but now it's all cut back 
like what's next? families are struggling to get food and medicine cuz of the shortage 
my heart goes out to them, its not fair how this embargo affects innocent people 
, how can they block oil from a country just cuz it has a different gov 
Cuba needs help ASAP 
President Diaz-Canel's emergency measures r good start 
, but we need to see change in US policy too 
The UN is right, dialogue & respect 4 international law 
Cuba's economy r suffering 
and families r struggling 2 cope with power outages & rationing 
The blockade has been in place 4 too long 
️, it's time 4 change 
Cuba deserves better 
. 100,000 barrels of oil a day? That's like having a really expensive gym membership that just gets canceled every 15-20 days 
. Can't imagine how tough it must be for them to ration fuel and deal with power outages all the time 
. I mean, who needs electricity when you've got wood stoves and candles, right? 
But seriously, how are they supposed to survive like this? 
! Families are literally struggling to survive over there. I mean, can you imagine having to choose between cooking or keeping your family safe? 
Cuba needs help, not more pressure from the US. And what's with this 'regime change' talk? 
It's like they're playing a game of chess without thinking about the real-life consequences.
.
.
. Can't we find a way to help Cuba and its people without having to resort to sanctions and embargoes? I know it won't be easy, but if anyone can make some magic happen, it's us 
.
. We owe it to the people of Cuba to try and find a solution to this crisis.
like, come on us! let's talk about this and find a solution. no more sanctions and blockades! 
how can they expect cuba to function without fuel? it's like a ticking time bomb waiting to happen 
and what's with the usa being all dramatic about regime change? isn't that just code for "we want to be in charge" 
anyway, i hope someone does something soon because 15-20 days is a looong time 
The country needs like 100k barrels of crude per day but the US has cut off most of that 
They're already struggling big time. But you know what's crazy? The US is still trying to push for "regime change" 
Like, doesn't anyone remember that Cuba has been through so much already? It's like they're not even considering the human cost 
. and its not like cuba's not tryin' 2 diversify their energy sources - dey r investin in renewables & all that 
. but its hard 2 compete w/ a blockade thats been in place 4eva 
. cant we jus talk 2 each other instead? 
still, its shocking that the us blockade has been in place since '59 and it's still not lifted 
and those 15-20 days of fuel supply? thats just not enough 
.
The blockade needs to end ASAP & Cuba needs international support to get through this tough time. I think it's time for the US to reconsider its policies towards Cuba & work with them to find solutions that benefit everyone 
this is getting really dire for cuba... 100k barrels a day is a lot of fuel, but i guess its all about priorities right? theyre pushing for renewables which is good but its gonna take time. 
