The United Nations has issued a stark warning of an impending humanitarian "collapse" in Cuba, citing the potential consequences of a severe fuel shortage. The crisis was triggered by the United States' decision to block all oil supplies from reaching the Caribbean island and imposing tariffs on any nations that attempt to help.
As a result, Cuba is facing hours-long power outages, including in its capital city Havana, as well as skyrocketing food prices and transportation costs. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, this situation will worsen if Cuba's oil needs are not met, putting the country at risk of collapse.
The US has long imposed an economic embargo on Cuba since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, which was tightened into a full trade embargo in 1962. The current crisis is further complicated by Venezuela's collapse and the US' claim to control Venezuelan oil, prompting Mexico, Cuba's main oil supplier, to consider alternative routes.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed concerns about US tariffs on any nation stepping in to help but will not compromise her country's access to oil. Instead, she plans to send humanitarian aid and is seeking an agreement with Washington that would allow Cuba to receive oil without facing tariffs.
Cuba's leaders have rejected the US' tariff threat, labeling it a "false and baseless pretext" aimed at suffocating their economy. The country has declared an international emergency and imposed severe penalties on the US ambassador in Havana.
With Cuba's reserves dwindling, the UN is urging all parties to engage in dialogue and respect for international law. However, with tensions escalating between the two nations, the humanitarian situation in Cuba appears increasingly dire.
As a result, Cuba is facing hours-long power outages, including in its capital city Havana, as well as skyrocketing food prices and transportation costs. According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, this situation will worsen if Cuba's oil needs are not met, putting the country at risk of collapse.
The US has long imposed an economic embargo on Cuba since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, which was tightened into a full trade embargo in 1962. The current crisis is further complicated by Venezuela's collapse and the US' claim to control Venezuelan oil, prompting Mexico, Cuba's main oil supplier, to consider alternative routes.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has expressed concerns about US tariffs on any nation stepping in to help but will not compromise her country's access to oil. Instead, she plans to send humanitarian aid and is seeking an agreement with Washington that would allow Cuba to receive oil without facing tariffs.
Cuba's leaders have rejected the US' tariff threat, labeling it a "false and baseless pretext" aimed at suffocating their economy. The country has declared an international emergency and imposed severe penalties on the US ambassador in Havana.
With Cuba's reserves dwindling, the UN is urging all parties to engage in dialogue and respect for international law. However, with tensions escalating between the two nations, the humanitarian situation in Cuba appears increasingly dire.
what's going on with venezuela too? it's like the whole caribbean region is caught up in some major economic crisis 
and now the un is warning of a humanitarian collapse... that's just devastating. canada or eu should probs step in here and help mediate or something 
mexico seems like the only one willing to stand up for cuba, props to them? 
this is getting serious! I mean, I knew the US embargo on Cuba was a big deal, but it's like they're taking it to a whole new level now. A humanitarian "collapse" in Cuba? That sounds like a recipe for disaster 
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. And now, with Venezuela crumbling and Mexico not willing to compromise on oil supplies... it's like the whole region is caught in a web of tension 
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. This is going to have serious consequences for the entire region... 
i feel bad for them but at the same time i'm kinda surprised that the US is being so harsh with cuba again... didn't they just lift some of those sanctions a few years ago? 
anyway, i hope mexico can help out and get some oil to cuba ASAP because this whole situation is getting super dire 
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Cuba needs help, and the US is making it super hard. I hope they figure out a way to work together, even if it's just a tiny step towards reducing tensions 
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meanwhile mexico is trying to help but us is being super unreasonable 
i feel so bad for them, they deserve better than this 
i wish they d just talk to cuba and find a way to help them out instead of making things worse
. We can't just sit back and watch a country collapse because of political differences. The UN is right, we need to come together as humans and prioritize humanitarian aid 
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. I'm worried about the people of Cuba, they don't deserve to suffer like this. power outages and food prices skyrocketing? it's a nightmare for them 
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. mexico should be able to provide aid without being punished... it's basic human decency, you know? 
. And Mexico's offer of humanitarian aid is a good start 
. Let's keep hoping for a resolution soon 
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And Mexico stepping in as an oil supplier, that's good news for Cuba, but it might not help with the food prices & power outages, you feel? 
... I mean, I'm sure they're a great people and all, but this whole situation is kinda harsh, you know? Like, I remember reading about Fidel Castro back in the day 
... he was a pretty cool dude, right? Anyway, where was I? Oh yeah, Cuba... it's just sad to see them struggling like this. I mean, who doesn't love a good Cuban sandwich or a mojito on a hot summer night 
? 
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️ and think about all the what-ifs 
. Maybe it's time for the world to start treating Cuba like a normal country, you know? Not just some tiny island in the Caribbean subject to whatever whims come their way 
. This is one crisis where the world needs to come together ASAP!
