May 25, 2026
The Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) lauds the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) for speaking out forcefully against the humanitarian consequences of the Trump administration’s oil blockade on Cuba. In a letter sent to President Trump and Secretary Rubio led by Chairwoman Yvette Clarke, the CBC urged them to end the U.S. oil blockade and related sanctions on Cuba, arguing that these policies have worsened a humanitarian crisis on the island. [1]
The letter called attention to the growing hardships faced by ordinary Cubans, including worsening food shortages, declining living standards, and rising infant mortality, and it cites reports linking sanctions to deteriorating conditions for pregnant women and children. By placing human welfare at the center of the debate, the Caucus reaffirmed the principle that U.S. foreign policy should be guided not only by strategic objectives but also by concern for the well-being of civilian populations. In short, the CBC calls on the administration to lift the blockade and sanctions so Cubans can access essential resources needed for survival.
The CBC’s intervention is particularly noteworthy because it challenges a policy that many lawmakers have been reluctant to confront publicly. At a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Havana, the Caucus argued that broad economic pressure has disproportionately harmed vulnerable Cubans rather than achieving meaningful political change. In doing so, its members joined a growing group of voices in Congress calling for a reassessment of measures that have contributed to severe fuel shortages, blackouts, and economic and social distress on the island.
Equally important, the CBC framed its appeal within a broader commitment to peace, justice, and humanitarian values. Rather than advocating for the Cuban government, the Caucus emphasized the need to alleviate suffering among ordinary people and to ensure access to essential resources necessary for daily life. Its call to end the oil blockade serves as an important reminder that policies intended to exert pressure on governments should be evaluated not only by their political objectives but also by their human consequences.
ACERE commends the CBC for this shared position, and calls on other caucuses to take a stand on this issue. ACERE stresses that U.S. policy towards Cuba is causing a humanitarian crisis that affects not only one of our closest neighbors, but also impacts our country. A societal collapse so close to our southern border serves neither American citizens, businesses, nor U.S. national security interests.
[1] https://cbc.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3186.
