Cuba accuses the United States of seeking to trigger a humanitarian crisis

Monday 23 February 2026 - 16:00

By: Sahili Aya

Cuba accuses the United States of seeking to trigger a humanitarian crisis

Cuba has accused the United States of escalating pressure on the island in a manner that could lead to a humanitarian crisis, amid renewed tensions between Havana and Washington.

Speaking in Geneva, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced what he described as an “aggressive escalation” of measures targeting the Caribbean nation. Addressing delegates at the Conference on Disarmament, he argued that recent U.S. actions were designed to intensify economic hardship and destabilize the country.

Rodríguez claimed that Washington is tightening restrictions in ways that affect Cuba’s access to energy supplies, describing the policy as a form of energy blockade. He rejected assertions that Cuba represents an unusual or extraordinary threat to U.S. national security, calling such justifications unfounded.

In recent weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump has reinforced the longstanding American embargo against Cuba, a policy first implemented in 1962. The measures reportedly include increased pressure on third countries and companies to halt oil shipments and other forms of support to the island.

The U.S. embargo, in place for more than six decades, has long been a central point of contention in bilateral relations. While American officials maintain that sanctions are intended to encourage political change, Cuban authorities argue that the restrictions have deepened shortages of fuel, food, and medical supplies.

The latest exchange underscores the fragile state of relations between the two nations, as economic constraints continue to weigh heavily on Cuba’s domestic situation.