US-Cuba Policy Highlights
Issue No. 24 - February 2026
In this newsletter:
In this newsletter:
ACERE Policy Insight
Early Impacts of the Oil Blockade of Cuba
- ACERE Activities
ACERE Statement Honoring Rev. Jackson: A Champion of Engagement with Cuba – Read the ACERE Statement
- ACERE Statement on the Introduction of H.R. 7521 by Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA) to end the U.S. embargo on Cuba – Read the ACERE Statement
- ACERE Action Alert– Urge your Member of Congress to Stand Up for Peace – Please Act Now and share widely.
- US-Cuba Policy News
Trump says Mexico will stop sending oil to energy-starved Cuba
Guatemala to Phase Out Use of Cuban Doctors Amid U.S. Pressure
Trump Targets Italy in His Push to Halt Cuba’s Export of Doctors
Marco Rubio Is Deliberately Blocking Trump From Cuba Talks
Cuba-Bound Tanker Carrying Russian Fuels to Test Trump Blockade
Decision Disallows Certain Tariffs That Force Other Countries to Join
Embargo and Strangle Cuban Economy
US to allow resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector, Treasury says
Cuba says group shot on US-registered speedboat planned ‘armed infiltration’
Trump Aims to Steer Cuba Toward Greater Dependence on the US
US announces $6M in aid for Cuba as island’s leader accuses it of imposing an ‘energy blockade’
- The Vatican acts as a mediator between the U.S. and Cuba in a complex diplomatic scenario
- News from Cuba
Cuba Is Struggling to Keep Lights On Amid Trump’s Oil Blockade
Cuba Fuel Squeeze to Shutter Nickel-Cobalt Mining, Sherritt Says
Russia to fly its tourists out of Cuba and then suspend airline operations due to fuel crisis
Cuban Official Dismisses Reported Contacts Between Marco Rubio And Grandson Of Raul Castro: ‘Sounds To Speculation’
Washington Scolds Cuba after Crowds Heckle US Diplomat
Canada pledges food aid for Cuba as US fuel blockade continues
- Cuba says it killed heavily armed exiles who attacked from US-registered speedboat
- Recommended Media
Out of Oil and in Pain
Impact of Economic Sanctions on Child Health in Cuba
What kind of deal is the US looking for in Cuba?
Trump may be headed toward a pointless confrontation with Cuba
‘What Cuba suffers is equivalent to war,’ says Deputy FM on U.S. oil blockade
Cuba’s speedboat shootout recalls long history of exile groups engaged in covert ops aimed at regime change
Economic Sanctions from Havana to Baghdad
U.S. Citizens in Cuba for New Breakthrough Alzheimer’s Treatment
- Tweet of the Month
- Senator Van Hollen on X
ACERE Policy Insight
Early Impacts of the Oil Blockade of Cuba
On January 29, 2026, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O. 14380) threatening new tariffs on goods from any country that sells or transfers fuel to Cuba. It took effect the next day, and since then, it has had immediate and far-reaching consequences for the island’s energy supply, broader economy and the lives of every Cuban resident. One immediate outcome has been the suspension of fuel shipments from the few countries that continued to sell oil to Cuba after the takeover of Venezuela. Mexico, historically one of Cuba’s more reliable partners and a country that has at times challenged U.S. Cuba policy as a matter of sovereignty, halted oil deliveries to Cuba, even those sent on humanitarian grounds.
On February 20, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that the President does not have constitutional authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based tariffs, significantly altering the legal foundation of the administration’s oil blockade against Cuba. This ruling invalidated the IEEPA-based tariff measures relied on to threaten tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba and other nations, removing the specific legal justification for those levies. Consequently, the “Ending Certain Tariff Actions” Executive Order terminated the specific tariff mechanism that underpinned the January 29 policy threatening third-country fuel suppliers. However, given the tendency to over comply with U.S. sanctions against Cuba, there are no reports of oil shipments being sent to Cuba. The January order’s extraterritorial reach appears to continue to have had a chilling effect well beyond traditional sanctions targets. In fact, some analysts equate the oil blockade measures to “acts of war,” which certainly have the same effects as a naval blockade.
International and domestic observers have warned of the humanitarian implications. United Nations officials condemned the measure as illegal, and cautioned about the “foreseeable humanitarian consequences of restricting fuel supplies to Cuba.” Cuban Catholic bishops declared a “grave” socio-economic crisis and its impact on Cuban families, postponing a visit to Pope Leo XIV to stay with their people, and calling for urgent dialogue. The severe lack of fuel has had a grave impact on ordinary people resulting from widespread effects across transportation, public health, food production and distribution, all industries, and tourism—an essential source of foreign exchange. Air carriers have reduced or suspended flights, and multiple embassies have issued advisories citing fuel-related disruptions. Even the United States Embassy in Cuba has acknowledged the operational impacts of fuel shortages in travel warnings. The Cuban people have been suffering even more blackouts, higher prices, reduced public services and business activity, and the cancellation of major annual cultural and sporting events. A sharp drop in sales has been reported by 80% of Cuban private businesses surveyed. As in the worst time of the Special Period crisis after the fall of the Soviet Union, except for mostly electric vehicles, streets are empty and people rely on bicycles and walking for transportation.
The health sector has been particularly affected. A recent study in BMJ Paediatrics Open highlights the strain on pediatric services under conditions of resource scarcity. Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) has reported that childhood cancer survival rates have seen a 15-percentage-point decline that authorities attribute in part to shortages of fuel and related logistical constraints affecting hospital operations, medical supply distribution, and electricity reliability. Reduced transportation capacity and lack of medicines has also hindered access to specialized and chronic-illnesses care for all ages, especially outside major urban centers.
On February 25, 2026, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said it “would implement a favorable licensing policy towards specific license applications seeking authorization for the resale of Venezuelan origin oil for use in Cuba,” but excluded “transactions involving, or for the benefit, of any persons or entities associated with the Cuban military, intelligence services, or other government institutions.” The Trump administration has signaled that Cuba’s private sector should assume responsibility for importing and distributing fuel. However, small and medium-sized enterprises on the island generally lack the capital, logistical capacity, and international banking access – largely resulting from US sanctions — to perform that function at scale, and all infrastructures for storage and distribution of fuel belong to state entities.
The Cuban government has sought to mitigate the crisis through increased energy generation from domestic crude, and renewable expansion. Government officials report that roughly 38% of daytime electricity generation now comes from solar power, a contribution that should continue to increase rapidly in the next months and years thanks to cooperation with China. An additional share of energy generation—up to 40% under optimal conditions—can be supplied by domestically extracted oil. In a televised address, the Cuban president pledged resistance and outlined austerity measures to increase domestic energy generation, increase the number of electric vehicles and renewable solutions, and adapt public services and economic activity to reduced electricity and transportation. Despite significantly worsening living conditions, there have been no public protests reported. However, there are warnings of another migratory wave – despite the Trump administration removing all legal pathways for Cubans to travel to the United States – and many have already started to leave the country.
ACERE Statements
The Alliance for Cuba Engagement and Respect (ACERE) honors the life and legacy of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a towering figure in the struggle for civil rights, human dignity, and international understanding. Rev. Jackson played a direct and consequential role in advancing dialogue with Cuba during some of the most strained years of bilateral relations. He also helped shape US-Cuba Policy by influencing the broader policy conversation with his valuable faith-based and principled perspectives. – Read this ACERE statement
ACERE strongly supports the introduction of H.R. 7521 by Representative Jim McGovern, Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. H.R. 7521, the United States-Cuba Trade Act would end the United States’ decades-long embargo on Cuba by repealing or amending several laws codified over decades that restrict trade, exchange, telecommunications, and travel with Cuba. A similar bill, S. 136, has been introduced in the United States Senate by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). The embargo has failed to advance democracy or human rights, while contributing to humanitarian hardship in Cuba, limiting opportunities for U.S. businesses and families, and straining relations with allies. Engagement has proven to be a more effective approach than maximum pressure to advance U.S. interests in Cuba. ACERE urges Congress to advance this legislation and to embrace policies that uphold human dignity, family unity, free trade and travel, and cooperation. – Read this ACERE statement.
ACERE Action Alert– Urge your Member of Congress to Stand Up for Peace |
Given the latest threats against Cuba by the Trump administration, including the possibility of military intervention, ACERE believes that Congress must use its constitutionally designated authority to detain any possible military actions and to prevent any further assaults against Cuba’s sovereignty. Take action here to tell your member of Congress to support international law, diplomacy and peace. Please Act Now and share widely |
US-Cuba Policy News
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACERE.
Trump says Mexico will stop sending oil to energy-starved Cuba
REUTERS reported that President Donald Trump said Mexico would soon stop sending oil to Cuba, a crucial source of fuel for the island as it faces severe blackouts and shortages amid U.S. sanctions and the loss of Venezuelan oil supplies. The statement underscores Washington’s pressure campaign to isolate Cuba by targeting its remaining energy lifelines. Mexican officials have framed any potential halt in shipments as a sovereign decision while indicating that humanitarian cooperation with Cuba would continue.
Guatemala to phase out Cuban doctors program amid U.S. pressure
THE NEW YORK TIMES reported that Guatemala will phase out its nearly 30-year program hosting Cuban doctors, sending home hundreds of healthcare workers who have helped fill major gaps in the country’s health system. The decision comes amid growing diplomatic pressure from Washington as part of a broader effort to weaken Cuba’s overseas medical missions, which provide both healthcare services abroad and significant revenue for the Cuban state. The move reflects the expanding reach of U.S. policy aimed at isolating Cuba economically.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/10/world/americas/guatemala-cuba-doctors.html
Trump pressures Italy to stop using Cuban doctors
BLOOMBERG reported that the Trump administration is urging European allies, particularly Italy, to halt the use of Cuban doctors as part of its broader strategy to isolate Cuba economically. Cuban physicians have been staffing underserved and rural areas of southern Italy, where local officials credit them with helping address critical shortages in healthcare services. Washington’s push seeks to cut off an important source of revenue for Cuba’s government amid the island’s worsening economic and energy crisis.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-20/trump-targets-italy-in-his-push-to-halt-cuba-s-export-of-doctors
Report alleges Rubio blocking potential U.S.–Cuba diplomacy
DROPSITE NEWS reported allegations that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio misled President Trump about supposed negotiations with Cuba, telling him talks were underway despite Cuban officials saying no such discussions have occurred. According to anonymous sources cited in the report, the alleged misrepresentation was part of Rubio’s effort to prevent diplomatic openings and maintain a hardline approach toward Havana. The claims point to internal tensions within the U.S. government over policy toward Cuba.
https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/marco-rubio-is-deliberately-blocking
Russian fuel tanker heads toward Cuba amid U.S. blockade pressure
BLOOMBERG reported that a tanker carrying Russian-sourced fuel is sailing toward Cuba, potentially testing the Trump administration’s efforts to restrict oil shipments to the island. The delivery comes as Cuba faces a deepening fuel crisis marked by widespread power outages and shortages following intensified U.S. pressure on energy supplies. The shipment could become an early test of how aggressively Washington will attempt to enforce restrictions on countries and companies providing fuel to Cuba.
Supreme Court ruling limits tariff pressure campaign against Cuba
THE CENTER FOR ECONOMIC AND POLICY RESEARCH reported that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled President Trump exceeded his authority by using emergency powers to impose sweeping tariffs aimed at pressuring other countries to stop sending oil to Cuba. Analysts said the decision blocks the administration from using tariffs as a tool of economic coercion against states trading with the island. Although the ruling does not end broader sanctions against Cuba, it restricts one mechanism Washington had used to intensify economic pressure.
https://cepr.net/newsroom/supreme-court-decision-deals-a-blow-to-trumps-use-of-tariffs-for-economic-warfare-in-cuba
U.S. allows resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector
REUTERS reported that the U.S. Treasury Department will allow companies to apply for licenses to resell Venezuelan oil to Cuba’s private sector in an attempt to ease the island’s fuel shortages while preventing oil from reaching the Cuban state or military. The policy follows Washington’s takeover of Venezuelan oil exports after the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, which cut off one of Cuba’s primary energy sources. Analysts say it remains unclear whether Cuba’s private businesses will be able to afford fuel purchased on international markets.
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-allow-resale-venezuelan-oil-cuba-treasury-department-says-2026-02-25/
Cuba says U.S.-registered speedboat planned armed infiltration
BBC reported that Cuban authorities intercepted a U.S.-registered speedboat allegedly carrying weapons intended for entry into Cuban territory. Officials said some of the individuals involved were on Havana’s list of suspected terrorists and described the incident as a planned armed infiltration originating from exile groups in the United States. The episode adds further strain to already tense U.S.–Cuba relations amid the island’s deepening economic crisis.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24drvj8yl2o
Trump strategy aims to increase Cuba’s dependence on the United States
BLOOMBERG reported that the Trump administration is pursuing a strategy intended to make Cuba increasingly dependent on the United States by permitting limited fuel shipments to the island’s emerging private sector while restricting supplies to the state. Officials hope the approach will increase Washington’s leverage to push economic and political changes in Havana. The strategy emerges as Cuba faces a worsening energy crisis following the loss of traditional oil sources and escalating U.S. pressure on its international partners.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-26/trump-aims-to-steer-cuba-toward-greater-dependence-on-the-us
U.S. announces $6 million in aid to Cuba after hurricane
ASSOCIATED PRESS reported that the United States will provide $6 million in humanitarian aid to Cuban communities affected by Hurricane Melissa in October 2025 despite continuing political tensions between the two countries. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of imposing an “energy blockade” that has worsened shortages and blackouts across the island, while U.S. officials maintain that Cuba’s economic crisis stems from domestic mismanagement. U.S. diplomats said the aid distribution would be monitored to ensure it reaches civilians.
https://apnews.com/article/us-cuba-aid-melissa-trump-diaz-canel-636551892a2f59f43b657f1e71997b0b
Vatican attempts to mediate growing U.S.–Cuba tensions
INFOVATICANA reported that the Vatican has quietly begun mediating between U.S. and Cuban officials as tensions escalate amid Washington’s intensified economic pressure and Cuba’s worsening energy crisis. Meetings in Rome have included Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Havana, Mike Hammer. Vatican officials describe the discussions as difficult and ongoing, aimed at easing confrontation and addressing humanitarian concerns despite the absence of a formal agreement.
News from Cuba
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACERE.
Satellite data shows sharp drop in Cuba’s nighttime lights amid oil blockade
BLOOMBERG reported that satellite night-light data shows nighttime illumination across Cuba has dropped by as much as 50% in recent weeks as the Trump administration intensified efforts to stop oil shipments to the island. The analysis indicates blackouts have spread widely as fuel imports decline sharply, with electricity availability plunging particularly in rural areas and eastern cities. The visual data highlights a stark drop in nighttime illumination compared with historical levels, reflecting the impact of the U.S. oil blockade on daily life and infrastructure across the island.
https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2026-cuba-oil-supply-power-grid-blackout/
Fuel shortages force suspension of nickel and cobalt mining in Cuba
BLOOMBERG reported that Sherritt International Corp. will suspend nickel and cobalt mining and processing at its joint venture in Cuba due to severe fuel shortages caused by disrupted oil imports. The company said the island’s lack of fuel has made continued operations impossible, underscoring how the deepening energy crisis is affecting major industrial activity and broader economic production. The announcement also sent the company’s shares lower as uncertainty remains over when fuel supplies might resume.
Russia to evacuate tourists from Cuba and suspend flights amid fuel crisis
REUTERS reported that Russia’s aviation regulator will operate flights to evacuate Russian tourists from Cuba before suspending regular airline services to the island due to a worsening jet-fuel shortage. The lack of aviation fuel has already forced other carriers to halt flights, disrupting travel and threatening the country’s tourism sector. Authorities said flights will resume only once the fuel situation stabilizes.
Cuban diplomat dismisses reports of Rubio contact with Raúl Castro’s grandson
LATIN TIMES reported that Cuba’s permanent representative to the United Nations rejected claims that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held secret talks with the grandson of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro. The Cuban official described the reports as speculation and said there is no evidence of such high-level contact. The denial follows media reports suggesting informal discussions may have occurred during a regional conference.
U.S. rebukes Cuba after crowds heckle diplomat in Havana
THE STRAITS TIMES reported that the U.S. State Department criticized Cuba after small crowds heckled Mike Hammer, the U.S. chargé d’affaires in Havana, during his engagements with residents and religious leaders. Washington accused the Cuban government of interfering with his diplomatic work and demanded that disruptions stop. Cuban authorities, meanwhile, accuse Hammer of attempting to provoke unrest as tensions escalate amid intensified U.S. pressure on Cuba’s oil supplies and economic lifelines.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/washington-scolds-cuba-after-crowds-heckle-us-diplomat
Canada announces food aid to Cuba amid worsening shortages
ASSOCIATED PRESS reported that Canada will provide about $6.7 million in food aid to Cuba as the island faces shortages linked to reduced oil shipments and increasing economic pressure from the United States. Canadian officials said the assistance will be delivered through United Nations agencies rather than the Cuban government. The move reflects growing international concern over Cuba’s humanitarian situation as blackouts and shortages intensify.
https://apnews.com/article/5a85ec96af31c787b51c0f8b9720f968
Cuba says coast guard killed armed attackers arriving on U.S.-registered speedboat
THE GUARDIAN reported that Cuban coast guards killed four armed men and wounded six others after a Florida-registered speedboat allegedly carrying weapons fired on a Cuban patrol near Cayo Falcones in the island’s northern keys. Cuban authorities described the incident as a foiled “terrorist infiltration.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the attack was not a U.S. government operation and that authorities are investigating whether any of the individuals involved were U.S. citizens or residents.
Recommended Media
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACERE.
Former U.S. officials warn Cuba’s oil shortage is becoming a humanitarian crisis
EL PAÍS reported that former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Cuba Emily Mendrala and Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas director María José Espinosa warn that Cuba’s severe oil shortage is rapidly deepening into a humanitarian crisis. They describe widespread electricity blackouts, water shortages, school closures, interrupted medical services and growing hunger as fuel supplies fall far below what the island needs for daily life. The authors note that ordinary families are spending hours searching for scarce fuel and basic goods, with poorer regions suffering the most as essential services deteriorate. They also warn that migration pressures are rising, noting that Cubans became the third-largest asylum-seeking nationality worldwide in 2025.
https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-02-17/out-of-oil-and-in-pain.html
Study links worsening child health indicators in Cuba to economic pressures
BMJ PAEDIATRICS OPEN reported that Cuba’s child health indicators — historically among the strongest in the region — are showing signs of deterioration as the country faces mounting resource shortages. The study found that under-five mortality increased from about 6.0 to 8.3 deaths per 1,000 live births over the past decade, while infant mortality rose from roughly 4.0 to 9.9 per 1,000. Researchers say these trends reflect growing strain on the island’s healthcare system and broader systemic pressures affecting public health services.
https://bmjpaedsopen.bmj.com/content/10/1/e004510
Analyst questions effectiveness of Trump’s hardline Cuba strategy
THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE reported that analyst Daniel DePetris argues the Trump administration’s strategy of tightening sanctions and cutting off oil supplies to Cuba risks worsening the island’s humanitarian crisis without producing meaningful political change. DePetris writes that Washington appears to view Cuba’s economic collapse as leverage to force reforms or even a U.S.-led “friendly takeover,” but warns the approach could backfire by intensifying hardship for ordinary Cubans and increasing migration toward the United States. He suggests diplomatic engagement may offer a more effective path than escalating economic pressure.
Daniel DePetris: What kind of deal is the US looking for in Cuba?
Columnist warns Trump risks futile confrontation with Cuba
THE BOSTON GLOBE reported that columnist Stephen Kinzer argues the Trump administration may be heading toward a pointless confrontation with Cuba by escalating sanctions in hopes of toppling the government. Kinzer writes that tighter restrictions on oil, remittances, travel, or even a blockade would likely deepen humanitarian suffering and drive more Cubans to migrate to the United States without achieving regime change. He cautions that escalation could also damage U.S. diplomatic standing and suggests renewed negotiations instead of coercion.
http://bostonglobe.com/2026/02/04/opinion/trump-cuba-rubio-regime-change
Cuban official calls U.S. oil restrictions “equivalent to war”
CNN reported that Cuba’s Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío said Washington’s tightening restrictions on fuel shipments amount to economic warfare with effects “equivalent to war.” He argued that cutting off energy supplies is crippling transportation, hospitals, food production and everyday life across the island. According to the Cuban official, the measures are intended to economically “choke” the country and place pressure on ordinary citizens rather than solely on the government.
https://www.cnn.com/2026/02/04/tv/video/carlos-fernandez-de-cossio-cuba-amanpour
Tweet of the Month
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md) on X: |
“The US is creating a humanitarian crisis in Cuba. Trump’s & Rubio’s blockade is punishing the Cuban people, not the regime. “We must learn from 6 decades of failed Cuba-policy & reverse course.” https://x.com/ChrisVanHollen/ |
