US tightens sanctions on Cuba as island faces deep crisis

Cuba is enduring one of its worst crises in decades, with a severe economic downturn, energy collapse, and population decline. The population has dropped 16% in eight years, with 313,414 people lost in 2025 alone, driven by emigration and a negative birth-to-death ratio Source: lavanguardia. The economy is projected to contract 6.5% in 2026, while daily blackouts and fuel shortages paralyze daily life Source: abces.

US pressure intensifies

The United States has imposed a new round of sanctions targeting Cuba's medical missions abroad, which generate around $7 billion annually Source: infobae. The sanctions include the Minister of Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda, and entities like the Unidad Central de Cooperación Médica Source: elpaises. Washington also blacklisted companies tied to the military conglomerate GAESA and the energy sector, accusing Cuba of forced labor and sanctions evasion Source: mileniomx.

Conflicting narratives

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the measures as a "collective punishment" aimed at provoking a social explosion Source: diariolibree. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez called them "genocidal" Source: hoydo. In contrast, US officials describe the actions as targeting exploitation and regime financing Source: infobae. Meanwhile, a US intelligence report accused Cuba of decades-long espionage and subversion, which Cuba has denied Source: cnn.

Internal impact

The crisis has led to widespread desperation. A Santiago de Cuba resident told ABC that she must cook with wood and cannot collect her pension Source: abces. The government has announced 176 economic reforms, but Washington dismisses them as insufficient Source: excelsiormx.