UN Blames US Sanctions for Child Mortality Surge in Cuba

U.S. fuel restrictions have caused blackouts over 20 hours, limiting water, food and medical services for Cuba’s 10 million. The UN reports infant mortality at 9.9 per 1,000 births, childhood-cancer survival at 65 %, and essential medicines at about 30 % of normal supply. Shipping firms’ suspension delayed over 2.9 million kg of humanitarian food cargo.

The Straits Times

After President Donald Trump’s January national-emergency declaration, the United States halted fuel imports and stopped oil shipments to Cuba. Fuel limits were tightened in May with extraterritorial sanctions on traders, insurers and financiers. Only one Russian tanker has arrived; Washington pledged $100 million in humanitarian aid delivered outside Cuban government channels.

The Straits Times

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports infant mortality has doubled to 9.9 per 1,000 births, childhood-cancer survival fell from 85 % to 65 %, essential-medicine stocks at 30 % of baseline, food output down 60 % and basic food prices rising sharply, increasing nutritional risk for children.

UN Human Rights Chief: Children Are Dying As US Sanctions Push Cuba To The Brink

Commissioner Volker Türk warned sanctions are “directly harming Cubans.” State Department said sanctions “do not prohibit legitimate humanitarian assistance … as long as it directly benefits the Cuban people rather than the illegitimate regime.” Marco Rubio said US “wants to help the people of Cuba.” UN urged Havana to release political prisoners and seek dialogue.

The Straits Times

Türk called the sanctions “broad, indiscriminate and harsh,” saying they breach international human-rights principles. The UN noted extraterritorial measures have disrupted humanitarian shipments. Washington argues regime change is essential, has withdrawn from the UN Human Rights Council, and accuses it of “anti-American rhetoric and antisemitism.”

The Straits Times

The State Department asserts that humanitarian aid remains permissible, yet UN data show delayed food cargo and medicine shortages. The effect of the lone Russian tanker on fuel scarcity is uncertain, and verification of the reported health statistics is absent.

The Straits Times

• “Children are dying because doctors lack access to essential medical supplies and medicines. This is unacceptable.” — Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

UN Human Rights Chief: Children Are Dying As US Sanctions Push Cuba To The Brink

• “Such severe sanctions packages that target entire sectors of an economy and produce broad, indiscriminate and harsh effects on populations are incompatible with basic principles of international human rights law,” — Volker Türk

UN Human Rights Chief: Children Are Dying As US Sanctions Push Cuba To The Brink

• “We do want to help the people of Cuba, who are being hurt by this incompetent regime that’s destroyed the country and the economy,” — Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State

The Straits Times

• “prohibit legitimate humanitarian assistance delivered through appropriate channels, as long as it directly benefits the Cuban people rather than the illegitimate regime” — U.S. State Department

The Straits Times

U.S.–Cuban negotiations continue with little progress; Washington maintains regime-change as a condition, while Havana rejects political reform. The UN urges the release of detainees and dialogue to reduce social tensions.

The Straits Times