--- title: "Cuba's 2026 crisis and the US measures" summary: "In 2026 the US took steps to stop oil reaching Cuba and tightened sanctions. Blackouts and shortages grew. Cuba and the US blame different causes." published: 2026-10-29 reviewed: 2026-10-29 canonical: "https://cuba.timothybrits.co.za/learn/2026-crisis" license: "CC BY 4.0" --- # 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] ## Main counterarguments - The US government says Cuba's crisis is Cuba's own doing. Its ambassador, Mike Waltz, told the UN in October 2026 that Cuba's wealth had passed from ordinary Cubans to a ruling elite. He said "There is no blockade" and cited more than $876 million in US exports to Cuba in the first eight months of 2026 [2]. - The US says its measures answer security threats and repression. Executive Order 14380 cites Cuba's ties to Russia, China, Iran, Hamas and Hezbollah, a Russian signals intelligence facility, and human rights abuses [4]. Executive Order 14404 is titled as sanctions on those responsible for repression in Cuba [7]. - The US says it also helps Cubans directly. In May 2026 it offered $100 million in aid, to go through the Catholic Church and other independent groups. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US would not let aid reach companies linked to Cuba's military [8]. ## Sources 1. Blackouts and shortages disrupt healthcare across Cuba. UN News, 15 May 2026. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/05/1167524 (United Nations) 2. General Assembly weighs US embargo against Cuba ahead of 34th vote. UN News. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/10/1168686 (United Nations) 3. Cuba: UN warns of possible humanitarian 'collapse', as oil supplies dwindle. UN News, 5 February 2026. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/02/1166895 (United 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 2026. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/executive-order-14380-addressing-threats-the-united-states-the-government-cuba (Academic) 5. The United States-Cuba Oil Embargo and International Law. Just Security (New York University School of Law), 29 April 2026. https://www.justsecurity.org/137325/us-cuba-embargo-international-law/ (Academic) 6. Cuba energy crisis: Humanitarian needs remain despite fuel supplies. UN News, 6 April 2026. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/04/1167254 (United Nations) 7. OFAC Issues New Cuba Sanctions Program and Amends the CACR. Holland & Knight LLP, 9 October 2026. https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2026/10/ofac-issues-new-cuba-sanctions-program-and-amends-the-cacr (News) 8. Cuba accepted $100 million in US humanitarian aid: Rubio. Daily Sabah (Anadolu Agency), 21 May 2026. https://www.dailysabah.com/world/americas/cuba-accepted-100-million-in-us-humanitarian-aid-rubio (News) 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 2026. https://press.un.org/en/2026/ga12769.doc.htm (United Nations) 10. Cuba: Independent experts condemn new US sanctions as humanitarian crisis deepens. UN News, 6 August 2026. https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/08/1168094 (United Nations) 11. General Assembly Adopts Resolution to Lift United States Embargo of Cuba. United Nations Meetings Coverage and Press Releases, 28 October 2026. https://press.un.org/en/2026/ga12801.doc.htm (United 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 2026. https://www.parliament.gov.za/news/south-africa-reiterates-call-lifting-us-embargo-and-unilateral-measures-against-cuba (South African government) ## What you can do - [Ask your MP to keep SA backing Cuba](https://cuba.timothybrits.co.za/act/ask-your-mp-un-vote) - [Ask DIRCO for SA's position](https://cuba.timothybrits.co.za/act/write-dirco-sa-position)