Miguel Diaz Canel, President of The People's Republic of Cuba - Photo: Radio-Canada.ca

All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations – United Nations Charter, Article 2, Section 4

On January 29, 2026, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order that would impose tariff on any products from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba. This is another tactic by the United States to “cripple” and “strangle” the Cuban economy, with the intent to foment mass social upheaval within the country of Cuba that would lead to regime change. Ever since the triumph of the Cuban revolution January 1, 1959, the United States government has developed a hostile and criminal obsession to overturn the revolution and return Cuba to the control of local oligarchs and US multinationals, as it was prior to the triumph of the revolution. The hostility towards Cuba began as early as 1958 with an arms embargo even before the success of the revolution; the US followed with an energy and agricultural embargo in 1960, and the “beloved” John F Kennedy signed into effect a complete economic embargo on February 3, 1962. Despite the United Nations (UN) General Assembly voting unanimously for the United States to end the embargo on Cuba, the US has unilaterally and criminally continued what should be labeled as a crime against humanity, for sixty-four years.

Imperialism’s Response to the Sovereign State of Cuba

What is being done to Cuba is a total violation of the United Nations Charter Article 2, Section 4, among others; further, as a signatory to the UN Charter, the United states is obligated to respect the Provision of Article 2 Section 1 which states: “The Organization is based on the principle of the sovereign equality of all its Members,” and Section 3 which states: “All Members shall settle their international disputes by peaceful means in such a manner that international peace and security, and justice, are not endangered.”  To be clear, although the document references “dispute,” there is no dispute between Cuba and the US. The United States has unilaterally imposed a criminal embargo on Cuba because the US was not in agreement with the socioeconomic path chosen by the people of Cuba and wanted to change it to a system the US approves of. This policy is totally antithetical to the theory and practice of self-determination, a Right enshrined in the UN Charter.

During the lifetime of the late President Fidel Castro, there has been a reported 638 assassination attempts on the life of Fidel Castro; Cuban exiles as late as 2000 plotted to assassinate the late Cuban leader. The attacks against Cuba just didn’t stop there: The CIA gave material and training support to Cuban self-exiled groups in Miami, to carry out the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of the Island in 1961; the bombing of the Cuban Airliner in 1971, that killed a reported 73 people including the Cuban national fencing team; known Mafia figures Momo Salvatore Giancana and Santo Trafficante were reportedly indirectly contacted by the CIA regarding the assassination of Fidel Castro; in 1960 Robert Maheu of the Howard Hughes organization, met with mob boss Johnny Roselli in New York and was offered $150,000 to “remove” Castro. In recent times the United States has attempted to foment unrest and exploit the economic hardships experienced by the country because of the embargo; in 2024 the internal disorder and disruption which saw public demonstrations, was another attempt at regime change in Cuba. Right now, in 2026, there is understandably unrest and demonstrations in Cuba, instigated and supported by the exiled group in Miami and undoubtedly US operatives in the island. To further worsen the “strangulation” of Cuba, the United States has also listed Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism; to date not one bit of empirical evidence has been provided to support this ridiculous claim.

The Trump Administration’s Executive Order goes way beyond ideology. It exposes a United States’ hypocritical ideology of “democracy” while at the same time showing its nationalistic chauvinism that the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is reserved for white Americans only. The rest of the world, especially people of color, are not entitled to humanitarian considerations or values.

The Failure Once Again of the International Community

The ineptness and selective punishment actions of the international community, especially through the United Nations is disgraceful. It is important to note that, the UN Sanctioned Countries (UNSC) does not contain one white country; all the sanctioned countries are countries of color. Despite the conservative estimate of over 70,937 Palestinians killed since October 7, 2023, by a genocidal and apartheid regime in Israel, not one sanction has been imposed on Israel. What is equally appalling is the cowardice, capitulation and kowtowing of some countries of the Global South; the African Union (AU), BRICS, CARICOM, and CELAC have all given lukewarm response to the “strangulation” of Cuba by US imperialism. Cuba is not and has never been a threat to any country in the world; Cubans have had their blood literally spilled on battlefields, fighting in solidarity alongside oppressed peoples.

Developing countries have experienced and benefited from the Cuban medical program; Cubans have built schools and infrastructure facilities without asking for anything in return; during the COVID-19 crisis, Cuba shared its locally developed vaccines with countries as far as Italy; Cuba has trained hundreds of thousands of medical professionals on its own soil, at considerable costs to its national purse.

A few words should be said about Mexico on this matter because Mexico should not allow itself to be “bullied” and coerced into turning its back, and abandoning Cuba in this time of crisis. Both countries share decades of cooperation, solidarity, and a continuing struggle for the maintenance of sovereignty. The successful Cuban Revolution of 1959 was launched from Mexico; Fidel and his compatriots received material and moral support from sympathizers in Mexico, including the boat Granma. Despite internationally illegal and immoral threats from the United States, Mexico has since sent two shipments of humanitarian aid to Cuba, which is commendable and courageous, even in the face of protecting its own sovereignty from attack by US imperialism. The Press Release issued on February 19, 2026, by the former heads of the Caribbean Community, Guyana, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago is a principled document, and exposes the cowardice, ingratitude, and capitulation to US hegemony by current so-called leaders.

 Cuba Will Survive – Cuba Must Live!!

Children playing in the street of Havana - Photo: Zoe Alexandra

There is no doubt that this additional embargo will worsen the current energy and economic crisis in Cuba, brought on by the continued economic warfare waged by the United States against the island of Cuba. The island of Cuba has a history of resilience and creativity in facing and overcoming adversities, they have been doing so throughout the life of the revolution. Already, the government has taken steps to maneuver and cope with the escalating hostility towards their country, both from inside and outside. At the same time, the patriotism of the Cuban people cannot be underestimated. They know who the enemy is; they know who is responsible for the unusual hardships their country is facing. They too have devised creative and alternative ways to survive and triumph over crises brought on by US imperialism. The Cuban people have experienced the benefits of the revolution, they will not turn back, they will not capitulate.

On March 15, 2026, on the commemoration of the 148th anniversary of the Protest of Baragua, led by the late Major General Antonio Maceo, Cuban officials reiterated that the country will defend socialism with the same staunchness as Maceo, when he declared: “whoever attempt to seize the island, will reap the dust of its soil drenched in blood.”

Patria o Muerte- Fatherland or death!!