Full Breakdown
Cuba’s Foreign Minister Declares No U.S. Negotiations Amid “Genocidal” Blockade
9/8/2026, 4:09:12 AM
No Negotiations Amid a “Genocidal” Blockade
On September 7, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez told reporters in Havana that there are “no negotiations or agenda” with the United States and no plans for future talks, although Cuba remains “willing to stay in contact.” Rodríguez framed the U.S. measures as a “genocidal” blockade that has devastated the island’s economy and daily life.
Background: Decades-Long Embargo and Recent Sanctions
The United States has maintained a trade embargo against Cuba since the 1959 revolution. In January 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order establishing an oil blockade that halted fuel imports, intensifying an already severe energy shortage. The embargo and the new sanctions are presented by the U.S. as pressure to induce political and human-rights reforms.
Economic and Humanitarian Toll
- Economic damages: Rodríguez cited a loss of $8 billion in the year from March 2025 to February 2026, a 7 % increase over the previous period.
- Cumulative loss: The total damage since the embargo began now equals roughly $178.7 billion at current prices.
- Electricity: Nationwide blackouts have reduced power availability to 2–3 hours per day or less.
- Infant mortality: Reported infant deaths rose from 4 per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025.
- Tourism: Arrivals fell by 62.8 % (about 788,000 fewer travelers) in the first seven months of 2026, with only 794,000 visitors recorded through July.
Impact on Daily Life and Tourism
Rodríguez described families coping with food spoilage, heat that prevents sleep, children doing homework in near darkness, and limited internet access. The crisis has forced many Cubans to adopt improvised solutions: influencers share tutorials on battery conservation, farmers pasteurize milk over charcoal, and solar-powered electric tricycles provide transport. Tour operators such as Osiris Hernández in Viñales report operating with minimal tourists, relying on solar inverters to keep a single freezer running.
Official Statements & Responses
- United Nations: Experts have labeled the oil blockade a violation of international law and warned of heightened disease-outbreak risk.
- U.S. State Department: No comment was provided to requests for comment on Rodríguez’s remarks.
- UN General Assembly: Rodríguez announced that the annual resolution calling for an end to the embargo will be considered on October 27-28.
On-the-Ground Adaptations
Cuban citizens have turned to solar energy, charcoal cooking, and low-tech innovations to maintain essential services. Influencer Dayán Marrero posts tutorials that have amassed hundreds of thousands of views, while tricycle driver Augusto rents solar-powered vehicles for about 9,000 Cuban pesos per day, offering transport despite fuel shortages.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Damage figures: Sources differ between $8.1 billion and $8.083 billion for the 2025-2026 period.
- Tourism statistics: The exact number of arriving tourists is reported as “just over 794,000” and as a “62.8 % drop,” but detailed month-by-month breakdowns are not provided.
- Health impact data: While infant mortality rates are cited, broader health system metrics (e.g., hospital capacity) remain unspecified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “These are long months of living with only two or three hours of electricity per day or less,” — Bruno Rodríguez, foreign minister
What’s Next
The United Nations General Assembly will convene on October 27-28 to vote on Cuba’s resolution demanding an end to the U.S. embargo. The outcome will indicate the level of international support for Cuba’s claim of “collective punishment” by the United States.
