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Cuba Action Desk SA

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Cuba's 2026 crisis and the US measures

In 2026 the US took new steps to stop oil reaching Cuba and tightened its sanctions. UN officials report long blackouts and health shortages across Cuba 1. Cuba's government blames US measures, and independent UN human rights experts have condemned them. The US government says Cuba's own government is to blame 2.

What happened

Venezuela had been Cuba’s main oil supplier. In January 2026, the US captured Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro. 3

On 29 January 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14380. It declared a national emergency about Cuba. It lets the President add tariffs on goods from countries that supply oil to Cuba. 4

Two legal scholars wrote in April 2026 that Mexico had stopped its oil shipments to Cuba. 5

In late March 2026, a Russian oil tanker was allowed to dock in Cuba. 6 In April, the same scholars said they found no ship seized under the new Cuba oil powers. 5

On 1 May 2026, the President signed Executive Order 14404. It allows sanctions on people in Cuba’s energy, defence, mining, financial and security sectors, and on foreign banks that help them. 7

New US sanctions on energy companies followed on 23 July 2026. 10

On 30 September 2026, new Treasury rules took effect. They require US banks to block accounts of Cuban private business owners, and they end some travel permissions. 7

What UN officials report

On 4 February 2026, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson said the Secretary-General was “extremely concerned” about Cuba. The UN said most Cubans faced rolling blackouts. 3

On 6 April 2026, the UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Francisco Pichón, said over 96,000 surgeries were waiting. About one million people relied on water trucks, which were short of diesel. 6

The UN had mobilised $26.2 million for a plan to help about two million people. It said a $68 million gap remained. 6

On 15 May 2026, UN officials said some areas had blackouts of up to 20 hours. They said more than 100,000 patients, including 11,000 children, were waiting for surgery. 1

The UN said about five million people with long-term illnesses risked breaks in treatment. More than 32,000 pregnant women faced higher risks. 1

The UN also reports another cause of need: Hurricane Melissa, which damaged homes and services. The UN launched a $74 million plan for it. 3

In August 2026, independent UN experts said energy, transport, irrigation and basic services were breaking down together. They said rubbish was piling up in parts of Havana, with a risk of disease. 10

In October 2026, Mr Pichón warned of an energy crisis and a possible humanitarian collapse. 2

Who is blamed for the crisis

Cuba’s foreign minister told the UN in July 2026 that US measures cost Cuba about $8 billion between March 2025 and February 2026. The US representative blamed the Cuban government for repression and for the economic problems. 9

In August 2026, independent UN human rights experts said the US was trying to force change in Cuba “through threats and coercion.” They said a 20 July US report gave no concrete evidence that Cuba supports terrorism. 10

The UN General Assembly voted on 28 October 2026 for a resolution calling for the embargo to end. The vote was 130 to 17, with 25 abstentions. 11

Aid

Mr Rubio announced $100 million in US aid in May 2026. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Cuba would accept it if the US truly gave that amount. 8

What this means for South Africa

In August 2026, Parliament’s committee on international relations said the embargo continues to affect Cuba’s development. 12

Sources

  1. Blackouts and shortages disrupt healthcare across Cuba, UN News, 15 May 2026United Nations
  2. General Assembly weighs US embargo against Cuba ahead of 34th vote, UN NewsUnited Nations
  3. Cuba: UN warns of possible humanitarian 'collapse', as oil supplies dwindle, UN News, 5 February 2026United Nations
  4. Executive Order 14380: Addressing Threats to the United States by the Government of Cuba, The American Presidency Project, University of California, Santa Barbara (reproducing the US executive order), 29 January 2026Academic
  5. The United States-Cuba Oil Embargo and International Law, Just Security (New York University School of Law), 29 April 2026Academic
  6. Cuba energy crisis: Humanitarian needs remain despite fuel supplies, UN News, 6 April 2026United Nations
  7. OFAC Issues New Cuba Sanctions Program and Amends the CACR, Holland & Knight LLP, 9 October 2026News
  8. Cuba accepted $100 million in US humanitarian aid: Rubio, Daily Sabah (Anadolu Agency), 21 May 2026News
  9. General Assembly Resumes Debate on Ending Cuban Embargo, as Havana Leads Outcry against 'Cruel' Extraterritorial Ambitions of United States, United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, 7 July 2026United Nations
  10. Cuba: Independent experts condemn new US sanctions as humanitarian crisis deepens, UN News, 6 August 2026United Nations
  11. General Assembly Adopts Resolution to Lift United States Embargo of Cuba, United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, 28 October 2026United Nations
  12. Committee on International Relations reiterates South Africa's call for lifting US embargo and unilateral measures against Cuba, Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, 13 August 2026South African government

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What you can do

  • Ask your MP to keep SA backing Cuba

    Two minutes. Ask your MP to raise South Africa's UN position on the US embargo of Cuba with Parliament's international relations committee.

    • 2 minutes
    • To: Your Member of Parliament

  • Ask DIRCO for SA's position

    Two minutes. Email DIRCO and ask how the US embargo of Cuba affects South African companies and banks, and what the government's position is.

    • 2 minutes
    • To: Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO)

Help directly

See organisations that deliver aid to Cuba, and how we check them.