Trump administration considers naval blockade to stop oil supplies to Cuba
The administration of US President Donald Trump is discussing the possibility of imposing a naval blockade to completely halt oil supplies to Cuba. This was reported by sources familiar with the internal consultations in Washington. Such a move is seen as one of the options for increasing pressure on the Cuban communist regime and potentially initiating a process of change, according to Politico.
According to the sources, the idea is supported by some critics of Havana in the US administration, as well as Secretary of State Marco Rubio. No final decision has been made yet, but the scenario of a complete blockade of oil imports may be included in the package of proposals being prepared for President Trump.
This move was preceded by statements from the White House about its intention to stop Cuban oil supplies from Venezuela, which has long been the island's main supplier of raw materials. The loss of Venezuelan supplies has already hit Cuba's economy, which is in a state of deep crisis, hard. Havana previously resold part of the oil to obtain foreign currency, which is now impossible.
At the same time, there is debate within the US administration itself about the advisability of a complete blockade. Some officials warn that a complete halt to oil imports could provoke a large-scale humanitarian crisis. According to the International Energy Agency, Cuba imports about 60 per cent of its oil, and its own production does not cover domestic needs. After the reduction in Venezuelan supplies, Mexico became the main supplier, but its volumes and commercial terms are not able to compensate for the deficit.
Discussions about an oil blockade show that Washington is increasingly considering a change of power in Cuba as a realistic prospect as early as 2026. The White House believes that the island's current economic weakness, constant power cuts and shortages of basic goods create favourable conditions for this.
The US plans to justify its possible actions under the Helms-Burton Act, which has imposed a trade and financial embargo on Cuba since the 1990s. At the same time, critics warn that a sharp increase in pressure could trigger a new migration crisis in the region and destabilise the Caribbean.
US, Donald Trump, Cuba, Marco Rubio, Venezuela,
