United Nations rights experts on Thursday (August 06) urged the international community to act quickly, warning that expanding US sanctions could push Cuba into a "full-blown crisis" and worsen the humanitarian situation on the island.&nbsp;Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962. However, the experts said pressure has intensified in recent months after President Donald Trump expanded economic measures, including restrictions affecting the country's fuel supplies.&nbsp;The experts said the latest sanctions announced on July 23 targeted Cuba's energy sector, making fuel procurement even more difficult, including for humanitarian purposes. The measures came as the country faces acute fuel shortages and recently experienced its third major nationwide blackout.&nbsp;"The humanitarian consequences are already unfolding into a full-blown crisis, threatening the health rights, to life, to food and to development," the experts said. They also pointed to reports of uncollected waste in parts of Havana, warning that it has increased the risk of disease outbreaks.<h2>Trump's Cuba policy under scrutiny</h2>The experts said the US has expanded unilateral sanctions targeting key sectors of Cuba's economy since June 2026.&nbsp;Under Trump's second administration, an Executive Order signed in January 2026 declared a national emergency regarding Cuba and authorised US tariffs on countries supplying crude oil to the island.&nbsp;Another signed in May imposed secondary sanctions on non-US entities and foreign financial institutions that conduct business with Cuban state institutions or the military-run conglomerate GAESA.&nbsp;Experts said living conditions have worsened since the energy restrictions began in January. Millions of Cubans now struggle to access water, food and transport, while shortages of medicines and other essential supplies continue to grow.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pm-modi-s-foreign-visits-cost-74-59-crore-in-2026-till-july-2025-recorded-highest-spending-1786014940930">PM Modi's foreign visits cost ₹74.59 crore in 2026 till July; 2025 recorded highest spending</a><h2>UN calls for immediate global response</h2>The experts said UN agencies working in Cuba have already warned of rising food insecurity and shortages of medicines and basic necessities.&nbsp;"Food must never be used as an instrument of political pressure. Measures that knowingly deprive a population of the means to survive strike at the most basic guarantees of the rights to life and diminish the core of human dignity," they said.&nbsp;"The US government must cease all threats and hostile acts against Cuba's sovereignty and revoke all measures it has imposed on the country that stand contrary to international law."&nbsp;The experts urged the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to take up the issue urgently as a matter of international peace and security. The statement was issued by UN special rapporteurs, who serve independently under mandates from the Human Rights Council and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.

US sanctions push Cuba into full blown crisis, UN experts urge UN actionUN rights experts warned that expanding US sanctions are pushing Cuba into a full blown humanitarian crisis and urged the international community to take urgent action to prevent the situation from worsening.

United Nations rights experts on Thursday (August 06) urged the international community to act quickly, warning that expanding US sanctions could push Cuba into a "full-blown crisis" and worsen the humanitarian situation on the island. Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962. However, the experts said pressure has intensified in recent months after President Donald Trump expanded economic measures, including restrictions affecting the country's fuel supplies. The experts said the latest sanctions announced on July 23 targeted Cuba's energy sector, making fuel procurement even more difficult, including for humanitarian purposes. The measures came as the country faces acute fuel shortages and recently experienced its third major nationwide blackout. "The humanitarian consequences are already unfolding into a full-blown crisis, threatening the health rights, to life, to food and to development," the experts said. They also pointed to reports of uncollected waste in parts of Havana, warning that it has increased the risk of disease outbreaks. Trump's Cuba policy under scrutiny The experts said the US has expanded unilateral sanctions targeting key sectors of Cuba's economy since June 2026. Under Trump's second administration, an Executive Order signed in January 2026 declared a national emergency regarding Cuba and authorised US tariffs on countries supplying crude oil to the island. Another signed in May imposed secondary sanctions on non-US entities and foreign financial institutions that conduct business with Cuban state institutions or the military-run conglomerate GAESA. Experts said living conditions have worsened since the energy restrictions began in January. Millions of Cubans now struggle to access water, food and transport, while shortages of medicines and other essential supplies continue to grow. Also Read: PM Modi's foreign visits cost ₹74.59 crore in 2026 till July; 2025 recorded highest spending UN calls for immediate global response The experts said UN agencies working in Cuba have already warned of rising food insecurity and shortages of medicines and basic necessities. "Food must never be used as an instrument of political pressure. Measures that knowingly deprive a population of the means to survive strike at the most basic guarantees of the rights to life and diminish the core of human dignity," they said. "The US government must cease all threats and hostile acts against Cuba's sovereignty and revoke all measures it has imposed on the country that stand contrary to international law." The experts urged the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to take up the issue urgently as a matter of international peace and security. The statement was issued by UN special rapporteurs, who serve independently under mandates from the Human Rights Council and do not speak on behalf of the United Nations.

US sanctions push Cuba into full blown crisis, UN experts urge UN actionUN rights experts warned that expanding US sanctions are pushing Cuba into a full blown humanitarian crisis and urged the international community to take urgent action to prevent the situation from worsening.

US sanctions pushing Cuba into full blown crisis: UN experts urge Security Council action

The United States on Thursday (June 04) imposed fresh sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, members of his family and relatives of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, marking the latest escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against the communist-run island.&nbsp;Among those sanctioned are Díaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, along with Alejandro Castro Espín, the son of Raúl Castro, and other members of the Castro family. The US Treasury Department also targeted Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other entities linked to the government.&nbsp;The move comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten restrictions on Havana despite the decades-old US embargo already in place. In recent months, Washington has expanded sanctions, imposed new economic restrictions and increased pressure on Cuba's leadership and key state-controlled sectors.&nbsp;Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated sharply following a series of aggressive US policy measures. Tensions intensified in May after US prosecutors filed criminal charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of a civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-proposes-direct-meeting-with-putin-to-end-ukraine-war-kremlin-says-he-can-visit-moscow-anytime-1780603266292">Zelensky proposes direct meeting with Putin to end Ukraine war; Kremlin says he can visit Moscow anytime</a>&nbsp;The latest sanctions also come against the backdrop of Cuba's deepening economic and energy crisis. A de facto fuel blockade and broader US restrictions have strained the island's economy, contributing to shortages and prolonged energy disruptions. Recent measures have also affected Cuba's ability to process international card payments and attract foreign investment.&nbsp;Washington had already imposed visa restrictions on Díaz-Canel and other senior Cuban officials in 2025.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that it intends to maintain maximum pressure on the Cuban government, with the US president suggesting that Cuba could face the same sustained campaign that Washington previously directed at Venezuela.

The Trump administration has signalled that it will continue its maximum-pressure strategy against Cuba, similar to the campaign previously aimed at Venezuela.

The United States on Thursday (June 04) imposed fresh sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, members of his family and relatives of former Cuban leader Raúl Castro, marking the latest escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against the communist-run island. Among those sanctioned are Díaz-Canel, his wife and stepson, along with Alejandro Castro Espín, the son of Raúl Castro, and other members of the Castro family. The US Treasury Department also targeted Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces and several other entities linked to the government. The move comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten restrictions on Havana despite the decades-old US embargo already in place. In recent months, Washington has expanded sanctions, imposed new economic restrictions and increased pressure on Cuba's leadership and key state-controlled sectors. Relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated sharply following a series of aggressive US policy measures. Tensions intensified in May after US prosecutors filed criminal charges against former Cuban president Raúl Castro over the 1996 downing of a civilian aircraft operated by Miami-based Cuban exiles. Also Read: Zelensky proposes direct meeting with Putin to end Ukraine war; Kremlin says he can visit Moscow anytime The latest sanctions also come against the backdrop of Cuba's deepening economic and energy crisis. A de facto fuel blockade and broader US restrictions have strained the island's economy, contributing to shortages and prolonged energy disruptions. Recent measures have also affected Cuba's ability to process international card payments and attract foreign investment. Washington had already imposed visa restrictions on Díaz-Canel and other senior Cuban officials in 2025. The Trump administration has repeatedly indicated that it intends to maintain maximum pressure on the Cuban government, with the US president suggesting that Cuba could face the same sustained campaign that Washington previously directed at Venezuela.

The Trump administration has signalled that it will continue its maximum-pressure strategy against Cuba, similar to the campaign previously aimed at Venezuela.

Trump administration imposes sanctions on Cuban president, relatives of Raúl Castro

The United States is assessing a potential security threat from Cuba after a report claimed Havana had acquired more than 300 military drones and discussed possible attacks on US targets, including the naval base at Guantanamo Bay.&nbsp;According to a report by Axios, citing classified intelligence, Cuban officials have explored scenarios involving strikes on US military vessels and possibly even Key West in Florida. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report.&nbsp;The report comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Havana and growing speculation over whether the Donald Trump administration could be building a case for tougher action against the communist-run island.&nbsp;A senior US official quoted by Axios said the administration was increasingly concerned about advances in drone warfare and the reported presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana.&nbsp;“When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it's concerning,” the official said. “It's a growing threat.”&nbsp;<h2>Cuba rejects allegations, calls US the aggressor</h2>The report said Cuba had been acquiring drones from Russia and Iran since 2023 and was seeking to expand its arsenal further.&nbsp;Reacting sharply to the claims, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused Washington of escalating an anti-Cuba campaign.&nbsp;“The anti-Cuban campaign aimed at justifying, without any excuse, a military attack against Cuba is intensifying by the hour, with increasingly implausible accusations,” he said on X.&nbsp;“The United States is the aggressor. Cuba is the country under attack, acting in self-defence.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-clock-is-ticking-for-iran-there-won-t-be-anything-left-of-them-says-trump-in-new-warning-1779038047114">‘Clock is ticking for Iran, there won’t be anything left of them,’ says Trump in new warning</a>&nbsp;The controversy surfaced days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana amid ongoing economic strain and fuel shortages on the island.&nbsp;According to Axios, Ratcliffe warned Cuban officials against engaging in hostile actions.&nbsp;“Director Ratcliffe made clear that Cuba can no longer serve as a platform for adversaries to advance hostile agendas in our hemisphere,” a CIA official told the publication.&nbsp;The ties between the US and Cuba, which remained strained for decades, further deteriorated after President Trump's sustained threats and severe economic blockade of the island.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier this month, President Trump said the United States would be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately.” He also repeatedly threatened that Cuba would be next after the US military operation to depose Venezuela's longtime leader, Nicolas Maduro.&nbsp;US media outlets have also reported that American authorities are considering legal action against Raúl Castro, the younger brother of the late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Reacting sharply to the claims, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused Washington of intensifying an “anti-Cuban campaign” aimed at justifying military action against the island.

The United States is assessing a potential security threat from Cuba after a report claimed Havana had acquired more than 300 military drones and discussed possible attacks on US targets, including the naval base at Guantanamo Bay. According to a report by Axios, citing classified intelligence, Cuban officials have explored scenarios involving strikes on US military vessels and possibly even Key West in Florida. Reuters said it could not independently verify the report. The report comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Havana and growing speculation over whether the Donald Trump administration could be building a case for tougher action against the communist-run island. A senior US official quoted by Axios said the administration was increasingly concerned about advances in drone warfare and the reported presence of Iranian military advisers in Havana. “When we think about those types of technologies being that close, and a range of bad actors from terror groups to drug cartels to Iranians to the Russians, it's concerning,” the official said. “It's a growing threat.” Cuba rejects allegations, calls US the aggressor The report said Cuba had been acquiring drones from Russia and Iran since 2023 and was seeking to expand its arsenal further. Reacting sharply to the claims, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused Washington of escalating an anti-Cuba campaign. “The anti-Cuban campaign aimed at justifying, without any excuse, a military attack against Cuba is intensifying by the hour, with increasingly implausible accusations,” he said on X. “The United States is the aggressor. Cuba is the country under attack, acting in self-defence.” Also Read: ‘Clock is ticking for Iran, there won’t be anything left of them,’ says Trump in new warning The controversy surfaced days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana amid ongoing economic strain and fuel shortages on the island. According to Axios, Ratcliffe warned Cuban officials against engaging in hostile actions. “Director Ratcliffe made clear that Cuba can no longer serve as a platform for adversaries to advance hostile agendas in our hemisphere,” a CIA official told the publication. The ties between the US and Cuba, which remained strained for decades, further deteriorated after President Trump's sustained threats and severe economic blockade of the island. Earlier this month, President Trump said the United States would be “taking over” Cuba “almost immediately.” He also repeatedly threatened that Cuba would be next after the US military operation to depose Venezuela's longtime leader, Nicolas Maduro. US media outlets have also reported that American authorities are considering legal action against Raúl Castro, the younger brother of the late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro.

Reacting sharply to the claims, Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio accused Washington of intensifying an “anti-Cuban campaign” aimed at justifying military action against the island.

US assesses possible Cuba drone threat amid rising tensions: Report

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on Thursday (May 14) for a rare high-level meeting with Cuban intelligence officials as Cuba faces worsening fuel shortages, nationwide blackouts, and growing anti-government protests. According to Cuban authorities, the meeting took place at the request of the United States. Ratcliffe reportedly told Cuban officials that Havana must make major reforms if it hopes to improve economic and security cooperation with Washington. A CIA official said Ratcliffe warned Cuban leaders that they have only a limited window to stabilize the island’s economy and engage constructively with the administration of US President Donald Trump.&nbsp;The official added that Ratcliffe emphasised Trump should be taken seriously, referencing the US military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. Images released by the CIA showed American and Cuban officials seated around a long white table decorated with red roses and baby’s breath flowers. Cuban officials notably wore black suits instead of the traditional white guayaberas commonly seen during official meetings. In January, Trump labeled Cuba ‘an unusual and extraordinary threat’ to US national security and invoked emergency powers to intensify pressure on Havana. Since then, Trump has repeatedly warned that Cuba ‘will be next’ in his administration’s campaign against hostile governments in the Western Hemisphere.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/us-justice-department-accuses-yale-medical-school-over-admissions-discrimination-and-dei-policies-here-s-what-it-means-1778804092528">US Justice Department accuses Yale Medical School over admissions discrimination and DEI policies. Here's what it means</a>&nbsp;Cuba’s government said it presented evidence during the meeting that categorically showed that Cuba isn’t a threat to the national security of the US. There are no reasons to include Cuba on the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism. Cuban officials also insisted that the island hosts no foreign military bases and that Cuba doesn’t support, doesn’t finance, or permit terrorist or extremist organizations. The diplomatic talks came just one day after the Cuban government announced it had completely run out of fuel oil and diesel needed to maintain electricity generation. The severe shortages have triggered widespread blackouts and protests across Havana as frustration grows over deteriorating living conditions.&nbsp;In a social media post on Wednesday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the crisis on US policy, saying the collapse of the country’s electricity system was caused by the genocidal energy blockade imposed on our country by the US. Among the Cuban officials attending Thursday’s meeting were Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez and Raul Rodriguez Castro, the influential grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/cuba-runs-out-of-diesel-fuel-oil-amid-worsening-energy-crisis-1778786088854/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/cuba-runs-out-of-diesel-fuel-oil-amid-worsening-energy-crisis-1778786088854/embed</a>&nbsp;Rodríguez Castro, commonly known as ‘the Crab’, has emerged as a key figure in recent discussions with US officials and serves as a longtime aide and bodyguard to his grandfather. Despite growing economic pressure, Cuba’s communist government has maintained that it will not negotiate changes to its single-party political system. “To surrender isn’t an option for Cuba,” Díaz-Canel said in January.&nbsp;The United States has continued pushing for the release of political prisoners and broader economic liberalization in an effort to prevent further collapse of the Cuban economy. “You cannot change the economic trajectory of Cuba as long as the people who are in charge of it now are in charge,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday during a Fox News interview. “That’s what’s going to have to change because these people have proven incapable. I hope I’m wrong. We’ll give them a chance. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Havana for rare talks with Cuban officials amid fuel shortages, blackouts, and growing tensions

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Havana on Thursday (May 14) for a rare high-level meeting with Cuban intelligence officials as Cuba faces worsening fuel shortages, nationwide blackouts, and growing anti-government protests. According to Cuban authorities, the meeting took place at the request of the United States. Ratcliffe reportedly told Cuban officials that Havana must make major reforms if it hopes to improve economic and security cooperation with Washington. A CIA official said Ratcliffe warned Cuban leaders that they have only a limited window to stabilize the island’s economy and engage constructively with the administration of US President Donald Trump. The official added that Ratcliffe emphasised Trump should be taken seriously, referencing the US military operation that removed Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro earlier this year. Images released by the CIA showed American and Cuban officials seated around a long white table decorated with red roses and baby’s breath flowers. Cuban officials notably wore black suits instead of the traditional white guayaberas commonly seen during official meetings. In January, Trump labeled Cuba ‘an unusual and extraordinary threat’ to US national security and invoked emergency powers to intensify pressure on Havana. Since then, Trump has repeatedly warned that Cuba ‘will be next’ in his administration’s campaign against hostile governments in the Western Hemisphere. Also Read: US Justice Department accuses Yale Medical School over admissions discrimination and DEI policies. Here's what it means Cuba’s government said it presented evidence during the meeting that categorically showed that Cuba isn’t a threat to the national security of the US. There are no reasons to include Cuba on the US list of countries that sponsor terrorism. Cuban officials also insisted that the island hosts no foreign military bases and that Cuba doesn’t support, doesn’t finance, or permit terrorist or extremist organizations. The diplomatic talks came just one day after the Cuban government announced it had completely run out of fuel oil and diesel needed to maintain electricity generation. The severe shortages have triggered widespread blackouts and protests across Havana as frustration grows over deteriorating living conditions. In a social media post on Wednesday, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the crisis on US policy, saying the collapse of the country’s electricity system was caused by the genocidal energy blockade imposed on our country by the US. Among the Cuban officials attending Thursday’s meeting were Interior Minister Lazaro Alvarez and Raul Rodriguez Castro, the influential grandson of former Cuban leader Raul Castro. https://www.wionews.com/videos/cuba-runs-out-of-diesel-fuel-oil-amid-worsening-energy-crisis-1778786088854/embed Rodríguez Castro, commonly known as ‘the Crab’, has emerged as a key figure in recent discussions with US officials and serves as a longtime aide and bodyguard to his grandfather. Despite growing economic pressure, Cuba’s communist government has maintained that it will not negotiate changes to its single-party political system. “To surrender isn’t an option for Cuba,” Díaz-Canel said in January. The United States has continued pushing for the release of political prisoners and broader economic liberalization in an effort to prevent further collapse of the Cuban economy. “You cannot change the economic trajectory of Cuba as long as the people who are in charge of it now are in charge,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday during a Fox News interview. “That’s what’s going to have to change because these people have proven incapable. I hope I’m wrong. We’ll give them a chance. But I don’t think it’s going to happen.”

Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials in Havana as Cuba faces fuel shortages, blackouts, and rising protests

CIA Director John Ratcliffe holds rare high-level talks in Havana as Cuba faces fuel crisis and protests

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US sanctions pushing Cuba into full blown crisis: UN experts urge Security Council action

Trump administration sanctions Cuban president, relatives of Raúl Castro

US assesses possible Cuba drone threat amid rising tensions: Report

CIA Director holds rare high-level talks in Havana as Cuba faces fuel crisis