New York (TDI): The United Nations has sounded alarm over the risk of a humanitarian collapse in Cuba as a fuel shortage triggered by intended US blockades threatens the island nation’s energy supply and basic living conditions.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that if Cuba’s oil needs go unmet, the situation could rapidly deteriorate into full-blown crisis, with severe impacts on food supplies, transportation and electricity.
Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York on Wednesday that the UN chief was “extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba,” which could “worsen if not collapse” without a steady flow of energy resources.
Guterres also emphasized that the UN General Assembly has for more than three decades consistently urged an end to the US trade embargo on Cuba; a policy that he said continues to exacerbate the island’s long-standing economic hardships.
The crisis is rooted in a sharp disruption to Cuba’s oil imports, which it depends on heavily to generate electricity and keep essential services functioning.
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Historically, Cuba has imported most of its energy from allies Venezuela and Mexico. However, the situation deteriorated after the United States seized Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a raid, cutting off that key source of crude.
Washington then signaled it would block other supplies and has threatened tariffs on any country that provides oil to Havana, putting countries like Mexico in a difficult diplomatic position.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel reacted strongly, denouncing the US measures as an attempt “to suffocate” the Cuban economy under what Havana called an “unusual and extraordinary threat.”
Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said her government is exploring diplomatic avenues to continue sending oil and will send humanitarian aid to Cuba, but also cautioned against putting Mexico at risk of punitive tariffs.
Inside Cuba, prolonged hours-long blackouts have become widespread, even in the capital Havana, contributing to rising prices for food and transportation and straining daily life.
The US Embassy in Havana has warned American citizens to prepare for significant disruption, including protests, outages, and fuel scarcity.
