Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, condemned a new US executive order on Friday that targets officials in Cuba's energy, defence, financial and security sectors, as well as people accused of human rights abuses or corruption. He called the sanctions "illegal and abusive" and said they violated the UN Charter. [1]
Rodriguez said the measures amounted to "unilateral coercive measures" and were aimed at imposing "collective punishment against the Cuban people". He added: "Our people do not cower." [1]
The sanctions were announced as protesters marked International Workers Day outside the US Embassy in Havana on 2026-05-01, a scene that reflected the sharp public tensions between the two countries. [1]
Trump said late on Friday that the US would be "taking over" Cuba "almost immediately," after signing the order, according to the report. Cuba lies about 145 km (90 miles) from Florida. [1]
The report said US sanctions and an oil blockade have helped drive fuel shortages and widespread blackouts on the island. It also said only one Russian oil tanker has reached Cuba since the blockade began. [1]
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said in March 2026 that Cuba was negotiating with the US over bilateral relations, even as the two governments kept up their standoff. The US embargo on Cuba has been in place since 1960. [1]
