UN Rights Chief Volker Türk Urges Lifting U.S. Coercive Measures Against Cuba

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urged the immediate lifting of U.S. coercive measures against Cuba, warning that their expansion is causing serious humanitarian consequences and endangering the lives of the Cuban people.

“Volker Turk, the high commissioner for human rights at the United Nations, has issued some of his harshest criticism yet of the recent sanctions the United States has imposed on Cuba”

Al Jazeera

Türk said the fuel restrictions implemented since early 2026, together with the tightening of extraterritorial sanctions, are severely affecting access to essential goods and services, particularly for the most vulnerable sectors of the population.

Al Jazeera

He stressed that shortages of medicines and medical supplies are putting lives at risk and described the situation as "unacceptable."

Türk also warned that the measures have deepened Cuba's energy crisis, causing prolonged blackouts and disrupting food production, healthcare services and humanitarian operations.

An AFP report carried by the Jamaica Observer said Türk urged Washington to immediately lift tough sanctions imposed on Cuba this year, warning they were causing widespread suffering and endangering lives.

The report quoted Türk saying, "The fuel restrictions imposed since early 2026 and recent tightening of extraterritorial sanctions, taken together, are directly harming Cubans, especially the most vulnerable."

Anadolu Ajansı

It added that Türk pointed out the oil blockade left Cuba with daily blackouts that frequently exceed 20 hours.

The same account said additional sanctions imposed last month, including extraterritorial effects on private entities like traders, insurers and shipping companies, added to the misery.

Türk told the UN that severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce broad, indiscriminate and harsh effects on populations are incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law.

“Ginebra, 8 jun (EFE)”

Infobae

The UN News account said the High Commissioner reiterated his call to lift unilateral sectoral sanctions, noting their "significant and indiscriminate" repercussions on the population.

It warned that, given the dependence of health, food, and water-supply systems on imported fossil fuels, the current oil shortage is jeopardizing the availability of essential services, including intensive care units and emergency services.

The UN News report also said more than 80% of water-pumping equipment relies on electricity, and power outages jeopardize access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.