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Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said on Tuesday that US pressure was worsening conditions on the island, accusing Washington of intensifying economic measures against Havana.
“The US blockade is tightening, along with the energy siege and secondary sanctions, causing daily damage to Cuban families,” Rodriguez wrote on the US social media company “X”.
His comments came a day after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described Cuba as a “failed state”, saying the island had neither a functioning economy nor government. Rubio made the remarks in an interview with Fox News.
Rubio points to migration and political freedoms
“The problem that Cuba has basically right now is it is a failed state in every sense of the word,” Rubio said.
He cited migration as evidence of Cuba’s economic difficulties, claiming that nearly 20% of the country’s population had left the island since 2021.
“We’re hopeful that Cuba will choose a different path,” Rubio said, arguing that economic reforms alone would not be sufficient and that political freedom must accompany economic change.
Havana says aid shipments have been blocked
Rodriguez has repeatedly blamed US measures for worsening the situation in Cuba. On Monday, he said some humanitarian aid destined for the island through the United Nations had been unable to arrive because of US “pressures and threats” against international shipping companies.
According to Rodriguez, more than 7,000 containers had been prevented from reaching Cuba. He thanked UN agencies for their efforts to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian supplies.
Cuba is facing severe shortages of basic goods and fuel, along with frequent power outages. The UN has also raised concerns about the impact of the energy crisis on health services.
Washington has defended its pressure campaign, while the administration of US President Donald Trump has demanded political and economic changes in Cuba.
The dispute comes as relations between Washington and Havana have deteriorated sharply. Trump has said that “Cuba is next” after US operations in Iran are completed.
