Cuban authorities stated on Friday that the island nation hasrun out of oiland diesel as it struggles with a deteriorating humanitarian situation while facing growing pressure from the Trump administration to alter its approach according to U.S. conditions or face possible military intervention.
Years of sanctions rooted in Cold War-era conflicts between the two nations have led to demands from allies of President Trump — after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the death of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei — to force Cuba's government, influenced by Castro, into collapse.
However, Cuban officials have continued to resist U.S. pressures, with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stating last month that the U.S. embargo against the island nation is "genocidal."
“It is a perverse design whose main objective is the suffering of the entire people, to hold them hostage and turn them against the Government,” he wroteon the social media platform X.
Here are five key points to understand about the circumstances:
Cuba faces energy crisis
Alongside no fuel due to aoil embargoimposed by the U.S. following Maduro's arrest, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated to state media that Cuba's power grid was in a "critical condition" with regular power cuts, some extending up to 22 hours daily.
Cuba relied on oil imports from Venezuela, with only one shipment received since January. Authorities have cited the Trump administration's caution to other nations against conducting business with Cuba or supplying oil, which could lead to tariffs, as well as the removal of Maduro, as factors contributing to the energy shortage.
Mexico, which had previously been akey oil providerfor Cuba, has contributed to the deliveryhumanitarian aidto the nation. Russia offered some temporary assistance with its own oil, but de la O Levy statedUnited Press Internationalthat a 730,000-barrel shipment from a Russian-registered vessel had been exhausted.
The energy minister also mentioned that Cuba has been seeking to import fuel through negotiations, although the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran has made these efforts more challenging.
The absence of electricity has led many Cubans to gather in Havana's streets, demonstrating against the government. This week, demonstrators in Havana could be heard yelling, "Turn on the lights!"Reuters reported.
Report suggests Trump administration is close to indicting Castro
The Associated Press on Fridayreportedthat the Trump administration is planning to pursue an indictment of former Cuban President Raúl Castro, as reported by three individuals who are aware of the situation. Castro, who is 94 years old, is the sibling of the late, long-serving Cuban leader Fidel Castro.
The charges relate to Raúl Castro's supposed involvement, during his time as defense minister, in the 1996 downing of four aircraft operated by the Miami-based exile group Brothers to the Rescue.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason A. Reding Quiñones established a team of prosecutors and federal law enforcement officials to develop legal cases against high-ranking Cuban officials, theAP reported in MarchThe group was established when South Florida Republicans urged for the reopening of an investigation into Castro's suspected involvement in the 1996 event.
U.S. authorities increase pressure on Cuba
CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Thursday was joined by several other U.S. officials who havebuilt up U.S. pressureto Cuba during a trip to Havana. He went to "personally convey President Trump's message that the United States is ready to seriously discuss economic and security matters, but only if Cuba implements significant changes," the CIA previously stated.
The communication reflects statements made by other officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Last week, he stated thatCuba refused a $100 million humanitarian aidproposal from the United States as the island nation recovers from Hurricane Melissa. Foreign Affairs Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla refuted claims that the U.S. extended such an offer.
Rubio, a Cuban-American individual and long-time opponent of the Castro government, also declarednew sanctionstwo Cuban organizations and one person charged with assisting to sustain the communist regime.
Cuba has attempted to convince the U.S. that it poses no danger and has upheld its independence despite the pressure. Cuba's Charge d’Affaires to the United States, Lianys Torres Riverapreviously told The HillThat Cuba will remain firm on its "red lines" and if a military attack occurs, "we are getting ready for it."
Likewise, Cuban Ambassador to the U.N. Ernesto Soberón Guzmántold Fox Newsearlier this month, stating that "if someone believes that words such as 'give up,' 'surrender,' or 'collapse' are in the Cuban people's vocabulary, that person — those people are greatly mistaken."
Republican Party demands a shift in leadership Conservative group advocates for political transformation Grand Old Party seeks alteration in governance Party leaders push for change in administration Political faction calls for replacement of current leadership
Several prominent Trump allies and advocates for Cuba have supported the administration's actions toward Cuba, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
Graham stated a few days after Maduro's removal that it was "merely a matter of timeuntil Cuba's regime collapsed. He then stated a few days after U.S. and Israeli attacks initially targeted Iran that Cuba would be the U.S.'snext target.
Next up is Cuba," Graham stated on Fox News. "They will follow this communist regime in Cuba. Their time is running out.
After Maduro's defeat in January, Cruz, who is of Cuban American heritage,told The Hillthat shift in leadership in Cuba "could not have happened to more deserving individuals."
"We are experiencing a remarkable time in history," Cruz said to Fox News's Sean Hannity in February. "It is entirely possible, Sean, that in thenext six monthswe will witness the collapse of regimes in Iran, Venezuela, and Cuba, and we might also observe new governments taking their place that seek to be allies of the United States of America.
Other Republican figures have repeated Graham and Cruz's statements, generally asserting that it was time to put an end to the long-standing diplomatic impasse between Washington and Havana.
Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.), who mentioned there is a "chance for democracy in Cuba," also cautioned that the downfall of the government could lead to a large-scale movement of Cubans leaving the island.
We're prepared for mass migration," he stated. "I was the governor of Florida. We have made preparations for this before.
Calls from both parties against military strike
Lawmakers from both political parties have encouraged the Trump administration against launching an attack on Cuba, with numerous individuals referencing international law and unresolved concerns regarding military actions in Venezuela and Iran.
Senate Republicans this week cautioned the administrationin response to any assault on the island country, contending that the U.S. ought to concentrate on concluding the conflict in Iran.
"I believe we are currently concentrating on our present situation, which involves working to reopen the Strait of Hormuz," Senator John Thune (R-S.D.), the Senate Majority Leader, stated to reporters this week. He also mentioned that although this is the case, he would "love" to witness the collapse of Cuba's communist regime.
Democrats in the House have expressed opposition to any efforts involving a military strike against Cuba. Senate Democratsfiled a resolutionto prevent Trump from sending U.S. troops to Cuba under the 1973 War Powers Act in March, following Trump's encouragement of rumors about an imminent attack during a speech at an investment conference in Miami.
Senate Republicans killed the resolutionlast month. Scott described the measure as "out of step with the realities in Cuba" and stated it was "irrelevant" because Trump "has never indicated we would deploy troops in Cuba."
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