Cuba says US talks at standstill, announces UN debate on oil embargo

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez announced Tuesday that negotiations with the United States are at a standstill, and called for a United Nations General Assembly debate on July 7 to discuss the US oil embargo. Source: AP News Source: Al Jazeera

What happened

Rodríguez stated that the talks, which began earlier this year, have shown "no progress" despite Cuba recently approving a series of free-market reforms. He noted that the reforms were not discussed in the talks and are a matter of Cuban sovereignty. Source: AP News The US responded to the reforms with new sanctions on Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, other officials, and five Cuban entities, including the bank handling most foreign business. Source: AP News Source: Foreign Policy

The reforms and sanctions

In June, Cuba's National Assembly approved approximately 176 economic measures, allowing private banks, foreign investment, and easing price controls—the largest economic shift since the 1959 revolution. Source: AP News Source: Foreign Policy However, the Trump administration's "maximum pressure" campaign, including an oil blockade since January, has deepened the island's crisis. Source: Foreign Policy Rodríguez accused the US of "constant aggressive statements" and attempts to scuttle the UN debate. Source: Al Jazeera

Humanitarian toll

The fuel blockade has caused prolonged blackouts, fuel rationing, and a collapse in medical supply chains. According to the UN high commissioner for human rights, infant mortality has doubled to nearly 10 per 1,000 live births, and child cancer survival rates dropped from 85% to 65%. Source: Foreign Policy Rodríguez called the embargo a threat to the Cuban people's well-being and human rights. Source: AP News