Trump Administration Weaponizes Sanctions and Aid to Starve Cuba, Deepening Humanitarian Crisis

Since late January, the Trump administration has intensified pressure on Cuba by threatening tariffs on countries that ship oil to the island and by signaling an end to Venezuelan oil shipments, actions multiple outlets say have effectively cut off key fuel supplies and triggered emergency rationing in Havana and across the island.

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9News.au

Reporting synthesizes official U.S. measures described as an executive order imposing tariffs with observed supply disruptions and a formal designation of Cuba as an unusual and extraordinary threat that preceded the measures.

9News.au

Sources tie those policy steps directly to the abrupt fuel squeeze that prompted authorities to announce jet fuel shortages at major airports and broader energy rationing that officials say prioritizes hospitals, food distribution, and public transport.

Cuban aviation authorities warned that jet fuel would be unavailable at nine airports, including Havana's José Martí, for a month.

The shortage forced carriers to delay flights, add refueling stops, or suspend service.

Al Jazeera

Air Canada immediately suspended flights, and pilots described the notice as unusually severe.

Reporting from regional and international outlets documents that the fuel cutoff threatened long-haul routes.

The reports say carriers considered refueling stops in the Dominican Republic or Cancun.

Some regional flights were pushed to carry extra fuel.

Ship-tracking and port reports noted tankers that once loaded Cuban-bound fuel remained idle or discharged their cargo elsewhere.

Reports document deepening humanitarian and economic hardship for Cubans beyond airport disruptions.

“US actions are fuelling a humanitarian crisis in Cuba”

Al Jazeera

Conditions include rolling blackouts, curtailed bus service, long fuel lines, reduced cultural events and bank hours, and rationing that limits gasoline sales and restructures public activities such as baseball.

Several outlets liken the situation to the 1990s 'Special Period' and describe government emergency measures that prioritize health care, food distribution, and public transport while warning of additional austerity steps.

Coverage diverges about Washington's objectives and reactions abroad.

Al Jazeera highlights analysts' debate about whether the administration seeks negotiation, to squeeze the government toward concessions, or to provoke collapse.

Associated Press

It quotes William LeoGrande's three scenarios and ACLED analyst Tiziano Breda's view that the U.S. may seek to bend the government rather than force collapse.

EconoTimes emphasizes international pushback, quoting Russian officials who call the sanctions 'suffocating' and pledge continued support.

Other outlets document Trump's public threats to stop Venezuelan oil and to punish third-party suppliers with tariffs.