Johana Tablada, a newly appointed ambassador in Cuba's foreign service, has acknowledged that Cuba can purchase "as much chicken as it wants" from the United States. During a recent interview on the videopodcast Alma Plus, hosted by pro-government journalist Laura Prada, Tablada elaborated on a law passed in 2000 that allows Cuba to buy food from the U.S. market.
“On the street, people say there's no blockade because Cuba can buy all the chicken it wants from the United States. And I would tell you, it's true, Cuba can buy all the chicken it wants from the United States,” she stated. However, she justified that the conditions imposed make these purchases a “costly” and limited process, requiring advance payments and incurring high additional costs.
Tablada emphasized that, even though such trade is legally permitted, there are "regulations" within the sanctions policy that have "tightened" the conditions. “What they don't explain to you is how the framework, which is legal, has been tightened. These are regulations that respect U.S. law and international law, as acknowledged by the authors of these maximum pressure measures, a term also coined by the U.S. government, which we now refer to as maximum aggression,” she pointed out.
The official also insisted that the U.S. embargo continues to be a barrier to Cuba's finances and international trade by "targeting" banks, shipping companies, and businesses that engage with Cuba. “If there were no blockade, the United States wouldn't spend millions each year enforcing it,” she affirmed.
Impact of U.S. Trade Amidst Cuba's Food Crisis
These statements come amid Cuba’s ongoing supply crisis, where shortages of basic foodstuffs, including chicken, have led to severe criticism of the government's economic management. While the Cuban regime continues to blame the U.S. embargo for the lack of essential goods, exports of food and agricultural products from the U.S. to Cuba are on the rise.
In June 2025, these exports reached a value of $38.4 million, marking a 10% increase from the $34.9 million recorded in the same month of 2024 and surpassing the $37 million figure from June 2023. Additionally, from January to June 2025, sales totaled $243.3 million, representing a 16.6% year-over-year growth compared to the first half of 2024, which saw $210.6 million.
The primary export from the U.S. to Cuba is chicken meat, accounting for nearly 54% of the total exports. These transactions occur under the legal framework of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSREEA) of 2000 and the Cuban Democracy Act (CDA) of 1992, which allow for direct cash sales of food and agricultural products to Cuba, as well as other goods authorized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
Understanding U.S.-Cuba Trade Dynamics
Why can Cuba purchase chicken from the United States?
Cuba can buy chicken from the United States due to a law passed in 2000, which allows for the purchase of food and agricultural products despite the embargo. This is permissible under specific regulations that require cash payments and other conditions.
What challenges does Cuba face in purchasing chicken from the U.S.?
Despite being legally allowed to purchase chicken, Cuba faces challenges due to the stringent conditions imposed, such as the need for advance payment and high additional costs, which make the process burdensome.
How significant are U.S. food exports to Cuba?
U.S. food exports to Cuba have been increasing, with chicken being the primary product, making up nearly 54% of total exports. These exports are significant, reaching $243.3 million in the first half of 2025.