Overview
- Ship‑tracking data show tanker traffic to Cuba has largely halted, including a U.S. Coast Guard interception of a Colombian fuel tanker about 70 miles from the island.
- An executive order threatening tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba prompted Mexico to suspend shipments, removing one of Havana’s last major providers.
- Severe shortages are triggering frequent blackouts, scarce gasoline and cooking gas, strained water pumping, piled trash, canceled classes, and suspended hospital surgeries.
- United Nations experts condemned the U.S. measures as violations of international law that worsen humanitarian harm, as Washington maintains the policy and routes $6 million in aid via the Catholic Church.
- Russia has pledged to send oil as humanitarian assistance but has offered no timeline and no tankers have been observed, while energy analysts warn Cuba’s fuel stocks could be depleted by mid‑March.