US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has rejected allegations regarding a potential crisis in Cuba, stating that the US, which imposes an economic blockade, bears no responsibility for the deteriorating situation in the island nation.
“Elchi” reports this citing “Reuters”.
“I think it is important to remind everyone that this did not start last week. For three or four years now, perhaps even longer, Cuba has been experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe,” Rubio told reporters in Colombia.
The Secretary of State placed all responsibility for the humanitarian crisis on the island on the local authorities.
In September, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla reported on the record amount of damage caused to the country as a result of the US trade and financial blockade. According to him, for the period from March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2026, this figure reached $8.083 billion, which is a 7% increase compared to the previous record. The minister added that as a result of decades of US pressure, Cuba’s total losses calculated at current prices have amounted to $178.7 billion; this figure does not include damages caused by the energy embargo and secondary sanctions imposed by the US.
In August, the US expanded sanctions against Cuba, adding three officials from the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and nine organizations—including the Ministry of Construction—to the sanctions list. Enterprises in the mining, metallurgical, foreign trade, and other sectors were also subjected to restrictions.
The Cuban Foreign Minister had previously stated that the new US measures hinder the provision of basic services to the population.
The US has maintained an economic embargo against Cuba since the early 1960s. In recent years, Washington has tightened sanctions; Cuban officials have repeatedly stated that the strengthening of restrictions has been the main cause of fuel shortages, power outages, and the deepening economic crisis. In the summer of 2026, the country’s leadership announced large-scale economic reforms, citing the need to adapt to the conditions of intensified sanctions.
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