"Genocide!" Cuba Slams Trump's Tariff Threat on its Oil Suppliers

Cuba’s leadership is framing Washington’s latest sanction escalation as a deliberate attempt to choke the island’s economy by targeting its remaining energy lifelines. US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday declaring a national emergency over Cuba and authorizing new tariffs on countries that supply oil to the island. The order asserts that Cuba represents an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security, a designation that expands Washington’s legal authority to impose trade penalties beyond its existing embargo regime.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel responded on January 31 by accusing Trump of planning “to suffocate” Cuba’s economy under “a false and baseless pretext.” He said the measure exposes “the fascist, criminal and genocidal nature” of a U.S. political clique pursuing personal interests.

His remarks came as Cuba endures rolling blackouts linked to fuel shortages, with electricity outages disrupting food storage, transport, and hospital services.

Trump has previously used stark language about Cuba’s viability, making harsh comments with notable threats against the small country on multiple occasions.

On Jan 28, Trump said Cuba “would be failing pretty soon” and describing it as “very close to failing,” remarks that Cuban officials cite as evidence of a deliberate pressure campaign.

“We Would Love to See Change”

Senior U.S. officials have also been explicit about their political aims. On January 28, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said, “I think we would love to see the regime there change.” He added, “That doesn’t mean that we’re going to make a change, but we would love to see a change.”

Trump’s executive order allows the United States to impose additional tariffs on imports from nations that directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba, widening the pressure campaign beyond Havana to its trading partners.

Economic Coercion Through Energy

The sanctions escalation follows Cuba’s loss of Venezuelan oil supplies, previously a critical source of fuel. Havana says deliveries were cut after the U.S. abducted Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro and his wife during a January 3 military operation in Caracas, an incident that Cuban officials say killed at least 32 members of Cuba’s armed forces and intelligence agencies. Since then, Washington has taken effective control of Venezuela’s oil sector and warned other governments against continuing shipments to Cuba.

Supply Chains Under Strain

Mexico has emerged as a focal point of U.S. pressure. On January 24, Reuters reported that Mexico was reviewing whether to continue sending oil to Cuba after Trump warned that shipments must stop. With Venezuelan supplies curtailed, Mexico became Cuba’s main fuel provider, supplying 44 percent of Cuban oil imports until last month. Venezuela accounted for 33 percent, Russia for about 10 percent, with smaller volumes from Algeria.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the shipments as humanitarian aid, noting they represent about 1 percent of Mexico’s production, while privately weighing the risk of U.S. reprisals as Mexico negotiates trade and security issues with Washington.

Cuba’s foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez, declared an “international emergency,” arguing the U.S. move constitutes “an unusual and extraordinary threat.” Venezuela’s government said the measure violates international law and global commerce principles. In Havana, residents described worsening daily conditions.

The latest escalation builds on a sanctions framework dating back to 1962, imposed after Fidel Castro’s 1959 revolution.

In November, UN special rapporteur Alena Douhan said the cumulative impact of U.S. restrictions has “severe consequences for the enjoyment of human rights,” citing shortages of food, medicine, electricity, and fuel, alongside rising emigration of skilled workers.