A United Nations human rights expert, on Friday, called on the United States to lift its decades-old sanctions on Cuba, highlighting the extensive humanitarian, economic and social impact of the trade and financial restrictions.
Alena Douhan, UN Special Rapporteur, said “Generations of Cubans have lived under unilateral coercive measures, which have shaped the country’s economic and social landscape,” adding that the measures do not conform to a broad number of international legal norms and have significantly exacerbated Cuba’s ongoing crisis.
Duhan’s visit to Cuba coincided with an acute economic crisis, which has severely affected public finance, food security and tourism. Additionally, electricity blackouts and the exodus of skilled workers, including medical professionals, engineers and educators, have placed strain on the country’s economic and social systems.
Douhan emphasized that the US embargo has been designed “to substantially exacerbate the humanitarian situation in Cuba and has been designed to prevent Cuba from receiving any economic revenue, especially in hard currency,” thereby constraining its capacity to meet basic social needs. She stressed that these measures have caused significant effects across all aspects of life.
The assessment involved consultations with a broad cross-section of Cuban society, highlighting that even when the US granted limited licenses for trade and investment, international companies often over-comply with restrictions to avoid potential penalties, further shifting economic growth and social development in Cuba.
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The UN official noted that US sanctions intensified under the administration of President Donald Trump and continued in various forms, which led to restrictions in accessing the international markets and Cuba’s re-designation as a so-called “state sponsor of terrorism” led to hindrance in the way of foreign investment and long-term planning.
At the end of October 2025, the United Nations General Assembly voted overwhelmingly for a resolution calling for an end to the US embargo for the 33rd consecutive year. Though the United Nations vote carries global political weight, only the US Congress has the authority to lift the Cold War-era sanctions.
A US state department spokesperson responded by asserting that Cuba’s economic challenges are primarily self-inflicted, mentioning that the embargo allies exports of food, medicine and medical equipment and does not restrict Cuba’s trade with third world countries.
Nonetheless, Douhan mentioned that the unilateral sanctions have systematically” suffocated the social fabric of Cuban society” and urged all states to respect international law principles, emphasizing solidarity as well as prioritizing humanitarian concerns.
Douhan will submit a comprehensive report on her findings to the UN Human Rights Council in September 2026, outlining the effects of US sanctions on Cuba and providing recommendations for alleviating their impact.
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