In a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters, the Permanent Representative of Cuba, Ambassador Ernesto Sobron Guzman, presented a detailed picture of the repercussions of the oil embargo imposed by the United States on his country, stressing that the current crisis represents an unprecedented escalation in the economic pressures that Cuba has faced for more than six decades.
He explained that Cuba’s inclusion on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, despite official US reports denying any connection to terrorism, led to additional restrictions, including the cancellation of hundreds of thousands of visas for European citizens who intended to visit Cuba, as well as pressure on countries to halt medical cooperation with Havana.
“Cuba has not received a single drop of oil for four months.”
Ambassador Guzman noted that the US decision to impose sanctions on any country that sells oil to Cuba has led to a near-complete halt in oil supplies, with the country receiving no oil shipments for four months, except for one tanker from Russia that covered only a third of the monthly needs.
He added, “This severe fuel shortage has directly impacted various vital sectors, especially healthcare, where there are about 100,000 patients on surgical waiting lists, including 11,000 children, in addition to 60,000 patients undergoing radiotherapy and more than 30,000 patients in need of dialysis, all of whom are facing difficulties due to power outages related to the fuel shortage.”
The repercussions have also extended to the agriculture, food, transport and education sectors, as fuel shortages are hindering the operation of agricultural equipment, threatening food production, while humanitarian aid distribution operations are facing difficulties, despite shipments estimated at about $6.5 million being held at ports that have not been moved due to the lack of fuel.
Regarding energy, the ambassador explained that Cuba has a production capacity of approximately 2,400 megawatts, but it cannot fully utilize it, while the demand is around 3,000 megawatts, creating a deficit of up to 1,700 megawatts. This has led to long power outages of up to 20 hours in Havana and more than 30 hours in other areas.
Despite these circumstances, the Cuban official emphasized that state institutions remain operational and that the government is adapting by expanding the use of renewable energy, which now covers between 50 and 55 percent of daytime consumption, alongside developing domestic oil production and improving refining capacity. He also noted the continued international support from countries in Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Politically, the ambassador affirmed that his country is open to dialogue and cooperation with the United States, including in innovative fields such as biotechnology and medical research. However, he emphasized Cuba's categorical rejection of any foreign interference in its internal affairs or any attempts to impose political change. In this context, he recalled the country's revolutionary history since 1959 under the leadership of Fidel Castro, stressing that the principles of sovereignty and unity are the foundation of the Cuban political system.
In response to a question from Al-Quds Al-Arabi newspaper regarding concerns about a repeat of the military escalation scenarios witnessed in Venezuela, the ambassador acknowledged the existence of real risks, noting that Cuba is not immune to the possibility of attack and recalling historical precedents of attempted military intervention. However, he emphasized that his country is prepared for all scenarios, affirming its preference for dialogue but stating that it "will defend itself" in the event of any attack.
He argued that comparing Cuba to other countries is not accurate due to the difference in historical paths, noting that the model of political unity in Cuba dates back to before the revolution, specifically to the ideas of Jose Marti in the nineteenth century.
In response to a second question from Al-Quds Al-Arabi regarding the role of the Organization of American States (OAS), the ambassador clarified that Cuba is not a member of the organization and has no intention of rejoining, considering it an instrument of US foreign policy. However, he emphasized that his country enjoys broad support from Latin American and Caribbean nations and peoples, including countries like Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, noting that this support is evident at both the official and popular levels, even in countries that have experienced diplomatic tensions with Havana.
Regarding a comment by Al-Quds Al-Arabi directed at the ambassador, stating that Cuba is paying a price for its support of the Palestinian cause, Ambassador Guzman said: “Our support for the Palestinian cause will not change, and it is a principled position that cannot be compromised.”
The ambassador concluded by emphasizing that Cuba, despite the severe crisis, continues to work and develop its own solutions, stressing that dialogue is possible, but national sovereignty remains a red line that cannot be crossed.
Tags:
asiawest
