Cuba in Crisis as Trump Slams Oil Tariffs! Havana wakes up to more than just blackouts. President Donald Trump has sparked outrage across the island by announcing tariffs on any nation supplying oil to Cuba. For a country already in the throes of economic and energy turmoil, this decision hits like a hurricane
Eighty-nine-year-old Lázaro Alfonso didn’t mince words, dubbing Trump the global “sheriff” as life in Cuba begins to mimic a lawless Wild West. Having survived the notorious 1990s “Special Period,” Alfonso claims today’s shortages are unbearable. Fuel is scarce, goods are elusive, and daily blackouts persist. The fear now? That oil restrictions will add gasoline to this fiery situation.
The Cuban government didn’t hold back. President Miguel Díaz-Canel slammed the move on X as “fascist, criminal and genocidal.” Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez warned of an “extraordinary threat.” Venezuela, Cuba’s main oil ally, condemned the act, linking it to a broader assault on international norms. Amid whispers of Mexico potentially reducing oil shipments, Cuban officials seethe with anxiety.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum aims to maintain aid, seeking alternatives to prevent further humanitarian disaster. Options on the table? Allowing U.S. management of Mexican oil shipments—though Trump’s next steps remain shrouded in ambiguity.
Voices from Havana's streets echo the concern. Yanius Cabrera Macías, a bread vendor, voices his frustration. “Cuba threatens itself,” he asserts, blaming internal governance. “Trump’s actions have punishing consequences for common Cubans, not the elite.”
Experts chime in as Cuba faces its oil crisis head-on. Jorge Piñon from the University of Texas warns the island may have only weeks before the fuel taps dry up. Will a tanker arrive in time? Doubts linger, especially with Mexican decisions still pending.
Russia’s involvement remains uncertain. Sanction-heavy, they’re a wild card in this geopolitical poker game. Could China offer credit? These questions linger as Cubans struggle to keep the lights on.
From households to businesses, impacts ripple wide. Luis Alberto Mesa Acosta, a welder, battles constant power cuts reminiscent of past crises. He yearns for unity among Cubans, urging collective resilience.
Tales of hardship continue. Dayanira Herrera finds everyday life a growing challenge. Caring for her young son amidst frequent outages, she fears an all-encompassing darkness…
Key Takeaways:
Trump’s oil tariffs could devastate struggling Cuba.
Cuban leaders slam the move as egregiously anti-humanitarian.
Cuba faces fuel shortages without new shipments soon.
Adapted by ASEAN Now from Source 2026-01-31
