US-Cuba Policy Highlights
Issue No. 28 - June 2026
In this newsletter:
ACERE Policy Insight
Cuba’s Economic Overhaul Offered an Opening for Constructive Engagement—Washington Chose More Sanctions Instead
- ACERE Activities
ACERE Statement— ACERE Demands, After Six Months of Oil Blockade, It’s Time to Engage Read the ACERE Statement
- ACERE Statement— ACERE Regrets the State Department Misses a Key Opportunity for Economic Engagement with Cuba Read the ACERE Statement
- ACERE Statement— ACERE Echoes the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights’ Warning on the Human Toll of U.S. Cuba Policy Read the ACERE Statement
- ACERE Action Alert: Urge your Members of Congress to Uphold Congressional War Powers & Oppose Intervention in Cuba Take Action Now and Distribute Widely.
- US-Cuba Policy News
US slaps new sanctions on Cuban companies key to island’s crumbling economy
Supreme Court sides with Exxon in lawsuit over assets seized by Cuba
Exclusive: Trump says Cuba operation could mirror Venezuela triumph
Sen. Peter Welch: Trump is leading us into another unnecessary war. This time it’s Cuba
Vance admits contacts with Cuba to change its economic policies
Hegseth warns Cuba against acquiring weapons in visit to Guantánamo Bay
As Trump toughens rules on Cuba’s economy, hotel chains pull out
Rubio sanctions Díaz-Canel’s family, Castro’s son and entities ‘undermining’ the U.S.
Trump’s crackdown on Cuban doctors leaves Venezuelans without healthcare
- News from Cuba
Cuban official says talks with the US are at a standstill, announces UN debate on US oil embargo
Under U.S. pressure, Cuba rushes drastic economic overhaul
Cuba’s fuel crisis brings schools to a standstill
Mexico’s president seeks to restart oil shipments to Cuba as island’s crises deepen
Cuba turns to foreign capital to rescue collapsing tourism industry
Cuba’s Communist leaders weigh a Chinese-style economic overhaul
Cuba quantifies impact of U.S. oil blockade on children’s health and daily life
Cuba’s top envoy to US calls Trump’s sanctions on Cuban leaders a ‘pretext’ for military action
- Recommended Media
Just In: Reporter Asks JD Vance ‘Is Cuba Next?’
Exclusive: Cuba open for foreign business amid US sanctions
Trump may be triggering a new Cuban migration crisis
The U.N. confronts a “perfect storm” of US-sponsored deprivation on the island
Cuba’s humanitarian crisis: The United Nations’ response
U.S. sanctions against Cuba are endangering lives and must be lifted
Trump is weaponizing long-standing restrictions on freedom to travel to Cuba
- Tweet of the Month
- House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems on X
ACERE Policy Insight
Cuba’s Economic Overhaul Offered an Opening for Constructive Engagement—Washington Chose More Sanctions Instead
Cuba’s announcement of the most far-reaching economic reforms in decades represents a watershed moment in the country’s economic policy. The Caribbean nation is experiencing one of the worst economic crises in its history, with GDP projected to contract by 6.5% in 2026, following an estimated 15% cumulative contraction over the previous five years.[1] At the same time, as a result of the most significant tightening of U.S. sanctions on Cuba in decades under the Trump administration, many major foreign companies—in tourism, mining, shipping, finance, and other sectors—have decided to leave the island.[2]
Approved by the Cuban National Assembly on June 18, the package of 176 measures seeks to decentralize economic decision-making, expand the role of private enterprise, eliminate the state’s monopoly over many foreign trade activities, authorize private banks, attract foreign investment, facilitate investment by Cubans living abroad, and reduce bureaucratic obstacles that have long constrained economic growth. While implementation remains the principal challenge, the reforms constitute the most significant restructuring of Cuba’s economic model since the Revolution and acknowledge that market mechanisms and private initiative must play a much larger role in the country’s future development.[3]
Many of these reforms closely mirror changes that successive U.S. administrations have advocated for decades. Washington has consistently urged Havana to expand the private sector, reduce state control over the economy, encourage foreign investment, liberalize trade, and resolve outstanding nationalization claims. The new reform package addresses many of these long-standing concerns by opening additional sectors to private participation, decentralizing economic management, allowing economic actors to engage directly in foreign trade, and creating a more predictable legal framework for domestic and foreign investors. Although the reforms do not address the broader political issues that remain central to U.S. policy toward Cuba, they represent a substantial shift toward many of the economic changes that U.S. officials have long argued would benefit the Cuban people.[4]
The announcement also appeared consistent with recent remarks by Vice President JD Vance, who indicated that the United States had been engaged in discussions with Cuban officials regarding economic reforms and suggested that Washington would assess Havana’s actions before determining its response.[5] Those remarks implied that Cuba’s policy changes could provide an opportunity to test whether reciprocal confidence-building measures and practical economic engagement might advance mutual interests while improving conditions for ordinary Cubans. A pragmatic dialogue focused on economic modernization, private sector development, and trade facilitation could have built on issues reportedly discussed by both governments while creating incentives for further reform.
Instead, the State Department quickly dismissed the reforms. A U.S. State Department spokesperson said the reforms “are modest, long overdue and ultimately superficial smoke signals from the Cuban regime. This is part of the dictatorship’s handbook: announce a cycle of supposed reforms to insinuate a desire for change, then quickly roll back any changes the moment the regime’s total control is at all threatened.”[6] Rather than exploring whether the reforms created an opening for engagement, the State Department announced additional sanctions against Cuban state enterprises that play essential roles in the country’s foreign trade and commercial infrastructure (additional designations under EO 14404). The newly sanctioned companies also provide fuel, logistics, import services, and financial transaction services that support both foreign and Cuban private businesses, meaning the sanctions are likely to have significant negative spillover effects on the island’s emerging private sector and the broader economy.[7]
The contrast between Cuba’s announcement and Washington’s response represents a missed opportunity to determine whether meaningful economic reforms could serve as the foundation for broader engagement. Structural reforms of this magnitude require access to investment, international finance, energy supplies, and commercial partnerships if they are to succeed. Continued U.S. sanctions make each of these objectives more difficult to achieve while reducing the likelihood that Cuba’s expanding private sector can become an engine of growth and greater independence from the state. If the Trump administration truly seeks a more prosperous, less state-dependent Cuban economy, it should engage with the Cuban government to support the implementation of these transformative reforms while continuing to address other areas of disagreement through sustained dialogue.
Notes
[1] CEPAL’s “Economic Survey of Latin America and the Caribbean 2026” https://www.cepal.org/en/pressreleases/latin-america-and-caribbean-will-grow-22-2026-international-context-marked
[2] EuroNews, “Meliá and Iberostar quit Cuba: Trump’s ultimatum leaves Spanish hotel groups under pressure,” June 3, 2026. https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/06/03/melia-and-iberostar-quit-cuba-trumps-ultimatum-leaves-spanish-hotel-groups-under-pressure
[3] Associated Press, “Cuba announces sweeping economic reforms to attract investment and expand the private sector,” June 12, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/cbffe7cf4f435569e1a6d7e42a2bb5fd
[4] Reuters, “Cuban lawmakers vote on Castro-backed economic reforms amid U.S. pressure,” June 18, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuban-lawmakers-vote-castro-backed-economic-reforms-amid-us-stranglehold-2026-06-18/
[5] Remarks by Vice President JD Vance referenced in reporting on U.S.-Cuba discussions over economic reforms. Reuters, June 18, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuban-lawmakers-vote-castro-backed-economic-reforms-amid-us-stranglehold-2026-06-18/
[6] AP, “US slaps new sanctions on Cuban companies key to island’s crumbling economy,” June 23, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/us-sanctions-cuba-gaesa-rubio-831adf749af121c0d2627b0501980ee8
[7] Reuters, “U.S. sanctions Cuban state oil company, adding obstacles for fuel imports,” June 12, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-sanctions-cuban-state-oil-company-adding-obstacles-fuel-imports-2026-06-12/; Associated Press, “U.S. slaps sanctions against Cuban oil and gas company as tensions rise,” June 12, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/c516d1457357c252771f0964c4751a4c
[8] Associated Press, “US slaps new sanctions on Cuban companies key to island’s crumbling economy,” June 23, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/us-sanctions-cuba-gaesa-rubio-831adf749af121c0d2627b0501980ee8
[9] Reuters, “U.S. sanctions Cuban state oil company, adding obstacles for fuel imports,” June 12, 2026. https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/us-sanctions-cuban-state-oil-company-adding-obstacles-fuel-imports-2026-06-12/; Associated Press, “U.S. slaps sanctions against Cuban oil and gas company as tensions rise,” June 12, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/c516d1457357c252771f0964c4751a4c
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ACERE Activities
ACERE calls attention to the severe humanitarian consequences of six months of systematic U.S. restrictions on Cuba’s access to imported fuel, among other maximum pressure measures. With only one Russian oil tanker reaching Cuban ports since December, major fuel shortages have led to prolonged nationwide blackouts and severely disrupted hospitals, schools, water systems, transportation, and food production and distribution. Despite inflicting extraordinary and senseless hardship on the civilian population, including a sharp rise in preventable deaths, the current strategy has failed to produce the political outcome its advocates predicted, and is undermining the interests of both the Cuban and American people. ACERE urges the Trump administration and its State Department to engage seriously with the Cuban government, and pursue genuine negotiations that address our differences while advancing shared interests in regional stability, security and prosperity. Read the ACERE Statement.
ACERE is disappointed that the State Department has chosen to dismiss Cuba’s announcement of its most ambitious economic reforms in decades rather than to explore whether they could open the door to a more constructive relationship. Instead of testing whether these reforms could create new opportunities for engagement, the State Department responded by imposing additional sanctions on state companies and entities that are critical to Cuba’s private sector and the broader economy. Meaningful negotiations require both sides to respond when opportunities emerge, even if important differences remain. ACERE urges the Trump administration to engage constructively with Cuba’s economic reforms, support conditions that allow the island’s emerging private sector to thrive, and pursue a policy based on principled diplomacy and our shared interests. Read the ACERE Statement.
ACERE echoes the warning issued by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights that the recent expansion of U.S. sanctions against Cuba is inflicting severe humanitarian harm on the Cuban people. In a June 8 press release, the Office of the High Commissioner concluded that restrictions targeting fuel shipments, shipping, financial transactions, and other sectors of the Cuban economy are contributing to shortages of food, medicine, electricity, clean water, and other essential public services, placing the lives and well-being of millions of Cubans at risk. The High Commissioner called for these measures to be lifted, emphasizing that respect for human rights must remain at the center of all policy-making. ACERE calls on the Trump administration and Congress to immediately lift all measures that impede access to food, fuel, medicine, and humanitarian assistance; and a return to principled engagement that advances both the well-being of the Cuban people and the long-term interests of the United States. Read the ACERE statement
ACERE Action Alert–Urge your Members of Congress to Uphold Congressional War Powers & Oppose Intervention in Cuba |
The Cuba War Powers Resolution has been reintroduced in both the House (Velazquez and Meeks) and Senate (Kaine, Schiff, and Gallego) to prevent any U.S. military action against Cuba without explicit congressional authorization. Given the latest navy and intelligence maneuvers and continuing threats against Cuba by the Trump administration, including the possibility of military intervention, ACERE believes that Congress must urgently use its constitutionally designated authority to stop any possible military actions and to prevent any further assaults against Cuba’s sovereignty. Moreover, the de-facto oil blockade imposed since January constitutes an act of war, and has provoked an acute humanitarian crisis that is causing civilian deaths. TAKE ACTION NOW by clicking here below to tell your members of Congress to support these legislative measures that have been introduced to prevent military escalation. Take Action Now and Distribute 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.
US slaps new sanctions on Cuban companies key to island’s crumbling economy – Associated Press, June 23
The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on five major Cuban state-owned companies—including entities linked to the military-run conglomerate GAESA, the foreign investment bank Banco Financiero Internacional, the financial firm Rafin S.A., the logistics company Almacenes Universales, and the mining company Geominera—as well as on a relative of former President Raúl Castro. This demonstrates the administration’s continued strategy of intensifying economic pressure on Cuba by targeting companies central to the island’s financial, logistics, mining, and foreign investment sectors, while Cuban officials argue the measures amount to economic aggression and analysts warn they could further deter foreign investment despite Cuba’s recent economic reform efforts. For the Cuban people, the sanctions are expected to deepen an already severe economic crisis by further restricting foreign trade, investment, banking, and commercial activity, and further disrupting the operating environment for state enterprises, joint ventures and the growing private sector. https://apnews.com/article/us-
Supreme Court sides with Exxon in lawsuit over assets seized by Cuba — The New York Times, June 23
The Trump administration backed Exxon Mobil’s effort to be compensated for oil and gas assets confiscated by the Cuban government in 1960. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Exxon Mobil, allowing the company to pursue claims over property confiscated by Cuba after the 1959 Revolution and clarifying the scope of legal remedies available under U.S. law. The decision strengthens one of the principal legal tools underpinning the Trump administration’s hardline Cuba policy by increasing litigation risks for foreign companies doing business with properties subject to certified U.S. claims, reinforcing the deterrent effect of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. For the Cuban people, the ruling is likely to further discourage foreign investment, complicate efforts to attract capital needed for economic recovery, and contribute to continued shortages, unemployment, and slower growth. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/
Exclusive: Trump says Cuba operation could mirror Venezuela triumph— Axios, June 19
President Trump said on The Axios Show that “it’s possible” a potential Cuba invasion would resemble the swift Venezuela operation in January. Trump’s statement signals that military or other coercive options remain under consideration, and that his administration has “war-gamed military response plans in case the country’s totalitarian regime collapses, potentially as early as this summer.” The comments represent a significant escalation in U.S. rhetoric, increasing concerns that Washington may be moving beyond economic pressure toward more interventionist regime-change measures, prompting renewed congressional calls to reaffirm constitutional limits on military action. Such statements heighten uncertainty, discourage investment, fuel migration pressures, and raise fears that bilateral tensions could further worsen already difficult living conditions. https://www.axios.com/2026/06/
Sen. Peter Welch: Trump is leading us into another unnecessary war. This time it’s Cuba — Fox News, June 19
Senator Peter Welch argues that the Trump administration’s escalating sanctions, military rhetoric, and pressure campaign against Cuba risk drawing the United States into an unnecessary military conflict and urges Congress to reassert its constitutional authority over decisions of war and peace. The opinion reflects growing congressional opposition to the administration’s Cuba policy and strengthens the case for bipartisan War Powers legislation intended to prevent unauthorized military action against the island. With a carrier battle group in the Caribbean and Raúl Castro indicted, the White House wants to justify regime change. Welch contends that further escalation would deepen the humanitarian crisis while increasing instability and suffering without advancing democratic change. https://www.foxnews.com/
Vance admits contacts with Cuba to change its economic policies — Democrata, June 18
Vice President JD Vance’s acknowledgment that U.S. officials had engaged Cuban counterparts in discussions about structural economic reforms prior to the announcement of structural reforms by the Díaz-Canel Government that are considered a sweeping economic overhaul. The revelation suggests that, despite escalating sanctions, the administration had explored the possibility of influencing Cuba’s economic transformation through dialogue, highlighting a previously undisclosed channel of engagement. For Cubans, such contacts raised hopes that meaningful reforms could be accompanied by greater economic cooperation, although those expectations were later undermined by the imposition of additional sanctions. https://www.democrata.es/en/
Hegseth warns Cuba against acquiring weapons in visit to Guantánamo Bay — The Guardian, June 10
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth continued to ramp-up of pressure against country including sanctions and devastating oil blockade. Hegseth’s warned from Guantánamo Bay that Cuba should refrain from acquiring advanced military capabilities from U.S. adversaries, reflecting heightened security concerns in the Caribbean. The visit reinforced the administration’s framing of Cuba as a national security challenge rather than primarily a diplomatic or humanitarian issue, further integrating Cuba policy into broader strategic competition with China and Russia. For Cubans, the increased militarization of bilateral relations reduces prospects for dialogue while contributing to greater regional tension and economic uncertainty. https://www.theguardian.com/
As Trump toughens rules on Cuba’s economy, hotel chains pull out — The New York Times, June 4
The Trump administration’s efforts to tighten the economic noose on Cuba appear to be working, as more international firms announced they would leave the island. Tighter U.S. sanctions prompted major international hotel companies to withdraw from Cuba while humanitarian organizations, including the World Food Programme, struggled to transport food and pay for fuel because of expanding financial restrictions. “The @WFP put off plans to purchase 3,000 tons of food “because we cannot find a shipping solution to bring it to Cuba”…it’s also trying to find ways to pay for fuel it used to buy from private companies b/c it can no longer pay with Visa or Mastercard.” It illustrates the broad reach of the administration’s secondary sanctions, which extend well beyond government entities to affect multinational businesses, humanitarian operations, and international financial transactions. For the Cuban people, the withdrawal of investors and growing logistical obstacles threaten employment, tourism revenues, food assistance, and the country’s overall economic recovery. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/
U.S. targets Cuban political, military leaders with new sanctions — Reuters, May 18
Sanctions against 11 senior Cuban public and military officials and three Cuban entities signaled an intention to increase pressure on the Cuban government. While aimed at decision-makers, such measures often contribute to broader economic isolation that affects the Cuban population through reduced access to key services, and basic resources. The executive order enables secondary sanctions on foreign entities dealing with sanctioned Cuban entities and individuals, dealing a heavy blow to the Cuban economy. https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-targets-cuban-political-military-leaders-with-new-sanctions-2026-05-18/
Rubio sanctions Díaz-Canel’s family, Castro’s son and entities ‘undermining’ the U.S. — Miami Herald, June 4
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions against relatives of President Miguel Díaz-Canel, the son of Raúl Castro, and several Cuban entities accused of supporting activities contrary to U.S. interests. The measures demonstrate the administration’s continued expansion of targeted sanctions beyond senior officials to include family members and additional institutions as part of its maximum-pressure strategy. Although allegedly aimed at political elites, the broader sanctions environment contributes to Cuba’s economic isolation, with indirect consequences for employment, investment, and living standards. https://www.miamiherald.com/
Trump promises U.S.-Cuba talks but gives no details — Reuters, May 12
President Trump said Cuba was seeking help and that talks would occur. The statement indicated that Washington was willing to explore discussions with Havana while maintaining a hardline posture. For the Cuban people, any talks could potentially open avenues for humanitarian assistance or de-escalation, although the broader sanctions framework remained unchanged. https://www.reuters.com/world/
Trump’s crackdown on Cuban doctors leaves Venezuelans without healthcare — Bloomberg, June 2
U.S. sanctions targeting Cuba’s overseas medical missions have disrupted healthcare services in Venezuela by reducing the number of Cuban doctors providing care in underserved communities. The Trump administration’s effort to curtail a major source of Cuban government revenue has important humanitarian consequences beyond Cuba itself, affecting regional public health and international medical cooperation. For the Cuban people, the restrictions reduce a significant source of foreign exchange that finances free, universal public health services while also affecting the livelihoods of Cuban medical professionals working abroad. https://www.bloomberg.com/
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.
Cuban official says talks with the US are at a standstill, announces UN debate on US oil embargo— Associated Press, June 30
Cuba’s Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, announced that diplomatic talks with the Trump administration are at a standstill, despite Havana’s recent approval of 176 market-oriented economic reforms, which he said “were met with a new package of unilateral coercive measures … against Cuba.” Rodriguez said the UN General Assembly will debate the U.S. oil embargo on July 7, and accused the State Department from trying to prevent it. Current U.S. policy remains focused on escalating economic pressure rather than engaging with Cuba’s reform efforts, reinforcing a confrontational approach that has stalled bilateral dialogue, further paralyzed Cuba’s economy, and constitutes “a threat to the existence and well-being of the Cuban people, and to the exercise of their human rights,” Rodríguez said. https://apnews.com/article/
Under U.S. Pressure, Cuba Rushes Drastic Economic Overhaul — The New York Times, June 24
Cuba has unveiled its most ambitious economic reform package in decades, introducing sweeping market-oriented measures—including expanding private enterprise, authorizing private banks, decentralizing foreign trade, and encouraging foreign investment—in response to its deepening economic crisis. The article emphasizes that the success of these reforms will depend heavily on whether the Trump administration is willing to ease sanctions or engage with Cuba, since continued U.S. restrictions could deprive the reforms of the investment, financing, and commercial access they require. These reforms offer the prospect of an easing of the economic crisis and private sector growth, but their benefits may remain limited if external economic pressure continues to constrain the country’s recovery. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/
Cuba’s Fuel Crisis Brings Schools to a Standstill — The New York Times, June 22
Severe fuel shortages forced Cuba to end the academic year early in many provinces because schools could no longer operate transportation, food services, or electricity-dependent activities. The Trump administration’s campaign to bring fuel shipments to Cuba to a halt, is disrupting essential public services such and healthcare and education, beyond their allegedly intended economic targets. These fuel and energy shortages have interrupted children’s education, increased hardship for working parents, and underscored the growing humanitarian consequences of the island’s energy crisis. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/
Mexico’s president seeks to restart oil shipments to Cuba as island’s crises deepen — Associated Press, June 22
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is seeking mechanisms to resume oil exports to Cuba despite U.S. sanctions that have disrupted previous shipments and contributed to severe fuel shortages on the island. The effort demonstrates the growing regional concern over the humanitarian consequences of U.S. sanctions while highlighting the diplomatic tensions created by Washington’s use of secondary sanctions against countries assisting Cuba. For the Cuban people, renewed fuel deliveries could help restore electricity generation, transportation, healthcare, and food distribution that have been severely affected by the ongoing energy crisis. https://apnews.com/article/
Cuba turns to foreign capital to rescue collapsing tourism industry — The National News, June 19
Cuba is actively courting foreign investors by offering opportunities in hotels, cruise terminals, marinas, and coastal development as part of a broader effort to revive its struggling tourism sector. It argues that while Havana is signaling unprecedented openness to international investment, the effectiveness of these initiatives depends largely on whether U.S. sanctions continue discouraging foreign companies from doing business on the island. Successfully attracting new tourism investment could generate much needed foreign exchange and capital, and opportunities for employment in thousands of private businesses linked to the tourism economy; but continued sanctions threaten to limit those benefits. https://www.thenationalnews.
Cuba’s Communist Leaders Weigh a Chinese-Style Economic Overhaul — Bloomberg, June 16
An unprecedented package of market-oriented reforms inspired in part by China’s economic model, including expanding the private sector, reducing the state’s role in the economy, and encouraging foreign investment while maintaining one-party political rule, has been proposed by Cuban President Diaz-Canel and explained by other government officials. These reforms reflect recognition within the Cuban government that the current economic model is unsustainable, but their success will depend significantly on the external environment, particularly U.S. sanctions and access to international capital. The proposed reforms could improve economic opportunities and living standards over time, although continued external restrictions could delay or limit those gains. https://www.bloomberg.com/
Cuba quantifies impact of US oil blockade on children’s health and daily life — Associated Press, June 15
The Cuban government provided data describing how fuel shortages resulting from U.S. sanctions have disrupted hospitals, schools, transportation, food and water distribution, and essential public services, with children among those most affected. The survival rate for children with cancer has fallen to 65% from 85% before the energy restrictions began in January. Over 100,000 Cubans are on waiting lists for surgery and the treatment schedules of nearly 3,000 patients requiring kidney dialysis have been disrupted. 300 of the 395 essential medicines produced on the island are unavailable due to a lack of chemical components required to manufacture them. Around 100,000 children younger than seven are no longer receiving the daily liter of milk previously provided by the state. The report highlights that these humanitarian toll and worsening daily living conditions are a direct consequence of the Trump administration’s strategy of restricting Cuba’s access to fuel by targeting shipping, energy, and financial transactions. https://apnews.com/article/
Cuba’s top envoy to US calls Trump’s sanctions on Cuban leaders a ‘pretext’ for military action — Associated Press, June 9
Cuba’s top diplomat in Washington, Ambassador Lianys Torres Rivera, argued that the Trump administration’s escalating sanctions against senior Cuban officials and state institutions were creating conditions that could be used to justify future military action against the island. The comments reflect growing concern that the administration’s strategy combines increasing economic pressure with increasingly confrontational rhetoric, contributing to heightened bilateral tensions and prompting congressional efforts to prevent unauthorized military intervention. Fears of further escalation add to economic uncertainty while increasing concerns about regional instability and the humanitarian consequences of continued conflict between the two countries. https://apnews.com/article/
Recommended Media
The views and opinions expressed by authors are their own and articles do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACERE.
Just In: Reporter Asks JD Vance ‘Is Cuba Next?’ — Forbes, June 20
The Forbes video reports on an exchange between Vice President JD Vance and reporters in which Vance states that the United States is engaged in discussions with the Cuban government about changes that could improve the well-being of the Cuban people and strengthen bilateral relations. “We want the Cuban people to be happy and prosperous. In fact, we are talking with the Cuban Government about how they could change their practices to change that situation,” Vance stated. His remarks are significant because they publicly acknowledge an ongoing channel of communication on economic reforms, suggesting that even amid the Trump administration’s intensified sanctions campaign, the United States has been exploring the possibility of influencing change through dialogue as well as pressure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Exclusive: Cuba open for foreign business amid US sanctions — The National News, June 19
In this interview, Cuban Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Raul Castro’s grandson Raúl Rodríguez Castro discuss Cuba’s proposed economic reforms, efforts to attract foreign investment, and the country’s willingness to engage constructively with the United States while emphasizing that economic modernization is necessary regardless of political differences. The piece is significant because it presents Cuba’s leadership and emerging private sector as signaling openness to international business and economic dialogue at a time when U.S. sanctions have made foreign investment increasingly difficult, underscoring the policy choices facing Washington. The type of reforms and investment opportunities described in the interview could expand employment, entrepreneurship, and economic growth if sufficient foreign capital materializes despite continuing U.S. restrictions. https://youtu.be/J90mgIUhbpM
Trump may be triggering a new Cuban migration crisis — The Hill, June 17
A Cuban American opinion contributor at The Hill, Andres Sanchez, warns that the Trump administration’s intensified sanctions and pressure campaign are accelerating Cuba’s economic deterioration and creating conditions likely to produce another large wave of migration toward the United States. Sanchez suggests that current U.S. policy may ultimately undermine its own immigration objectives by increasing the incentives for Cubans to leave the island rather than improving domestic conditions. As it happened with his family, worsening shortages, declining employment opportunities, and diminished prospects for recovery are likely to encourage additional emigration. https://thehill.com/opinion/
Cuba’s Humanitarian Crisis: The United Nations’ Response. The UN confronts a “perfect storm” of US-sponsored deprivation on the island. – The Nation, June 16
Peter Kornbluh, historian of U.S.-Cuba relations and Senior Analyst at the National Security Archive, examines the unprecedented intervention by the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, who warned that the Trump administration’s expanded sanctions and fuel restrictions are endangering lives in Cuba by worsening shortages of food, medicine, electricity, clean water, and other essential services. Kornbluh argues that the U.N.’s condemnation places growing international pressure on the United States to reconsider its policy of maximum economic pressure, framing the sanctions as a humanitarian rather than merely a political issue. Kornbluh underscores how the fuel blockade and broader sanctions have intensified blackouts, disrupted healthcare and humanitarian assistance, and increased hardship for millions of Cubans, particularly children and other vulnerable groups. https://www.thenation.com/
The Day After in Cuba. What American Military Force Can and Cannot Do – Foreign Affairs, June 8
Ricardo Zuñiga, former U.S. National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere and former U.S. diplomat, argues that while the U.S. possesses overwhelming military superiority, military intervention would be incapable of producing the political legitimacy, institutional capacity, or economic recovery needed for a successful democratic transition in Cuba. The article is significant because it challenges calls for military action and contends that U.S. policy should instead prioritize diplomacy, support for Cuban-led reforms, and long-term engagement rather than coercive regime change. Zúñiga warns that military intervention would likely cause extensive civilian suffering, economic devastation, mass displacement, and a prolonged period of instability that would make reconstruction and democratic governance far more difficult. https://www.foreignaffairs.
U.S. sanctions against Cuba are endangering lives and must be lifted — Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, June 8
This press release notes that the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, warned that U.S. sanctions are severely restricting Cuba’s access to food, medicine, fuel, and other essential goods, placing lives at risk and calling for the measures to be lifted. The statement is significant because it represents one of the strongest recent international human rights critiques of U.S. Cuba policy, increasing pressure on Washington to consider the humanitarian consequences of its sanctions while reaffirming long-standing international opposition to broad unilateral economic restrictions. U.N. experts have concluded that the sanctions are exacerbating shortages, undermining healthcare and food security, increasing poverty, and disproportionately harming the country’s most vulnerable populations. https://www.ohchr.org/en/
Trump Is Weaponizing Long-Standing Restrictions on Freedom to Travel to Cuba — The Nation, June 1
David Montgomery, formerly a longtime staff writer for the Washington Post, argues that the Trump administration has expanded enforcement of long-standing travel restrictions by targeting U.S. citizens who travel to Cuba for humanitarian, educational, or journalistic purposes and who publicly criticize U.S. policy toward the island. The Trump administration is using travel regulations not only to increase economic pressure on Cuba but also to discourage engagement between Americans and Cubans, thereby narrowing opportunities for people-to-people diplomacy that have historically enjoyed bipartisan support. The reduction in travel, humanitarian exchanges, and educational visits is likely to diminish income for private businesses, reduce family and cultural connections, and further isolate Cuban civil society from international engagement. https://www.thenation.com/
Tweet of the Month
House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) on X: |
“Rubio is doubling down on more Cuba sanctions with no clear policy goal, no coherent strategy, and no meaningful consultation with Congress. “After 60+ years of failed sanctions-first policy, it’s time for a different course that doesn’t worsen the humanitarian crisis.” |
