Story perspectives

Cuba says U.S. embargo drove record $8.1B losses

9/9/2026

Summary

Rodríguez Blames Embargo

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the U.S. embargo caused a record $8.1 billion loss from March 2025 to February 2026.
He warned the embargo raised losses by 7 percent compared with the previous year.
Rodríguez described an energy crisis limiting electricity to two or three hours daily, causing food spoilage and dark homework.
He noted infant mortality rose from four per 1,000 births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025.

Summary

China Supplies Cuba

China delivered food, solar panels and other supplies to Cuba, which President Miguel Díaz-Canel called unconditional solidarity.
The 18th BRICS Summit on Sep 12-13 2026 in New Delhi will discuss sending fuel to Cuba.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s Jan 29 2026 executive order imposed a fuel blockade threatening tanker operators.
Shipping firms face threats not to deliver solar panels and batteries for Cuba’s 45-day photovoltaic parks.

History

Historical Context

The Cuban “Special Period” began in 1991 when the Soviet Union’s dissolution cut off over $5 billion in subsidies, plunging the island into acute scarcity. By 1995, electricity fell to 30 percent of pre-1990 output, and infant mortality rose to 27 per 1,000 births, per the health ministry. Today, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reports an $8.1 billion embargo loss, while President Miguel Díaz-Canel welcomes Chinese food and solar aid amid Trump’s 2026 fuel blockade. The recurrence of external supply constraints underscores how historic dependency cycles persist, prompting Cuba to deepen ties with China and BRICS for energy resilience.

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Rodríguez Blames Embargo

Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said the U.S. embargo caused a record $8.1 billion loss from March 2025 to February 2026.
He warned the embargo raised losses by 7 percent compared with the previous year.
Rodríguez described an energy crisis limiting electricity to two or three hours daily, causing food spoilage and dark homework.
He noted infant mortality rose from four per 1,000 births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025.

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