President Donald Trump of the United States has signed an executive order on Thursday, declaring a national emergency and paving the way to impose tariffs on goods from nations that sell or provide oil to Cuba, as reported by Reuters citing the White House.
This move, announced from Washington, aims to cut off one of the main economic lifelines of the Cuban regime amid escalating tensions between the two countries. The Trump administration's goal is to prevent the island from continuing to receive crude oil and financial resources from abroad, particularly from allies like Venezuela.
The decision emerges in a context of tightened U.S. policy towards Havana, following previous warnings from Trump himself. He has asserted that Cuba would no longer receive "either Venezuelan oil or money" unless it agreed to engage in negotiations with Washington.
The executive order establishes a mechanism to identify countries involved in supplying oil to the island and to apply trade sanctions through tariffs. This measure could have direct repercussions on both the Cuban economy and its energy partners.
The decision comes at a time when Cuba is experiencing extreme energy fragility, marked by prolonged blackouts, halted production, and an almost complete dependency on imported oil. Washington seeks to close off this last survival route for the system, especially after losing Venezuelan support.
This new measure aligns with a broader strategy recently revealed by The Wall Street Journal, which reported that the White House is actively working to provoke a regime change in Cuba before the end of 2026, taking advantage of what U.S. officials describe as a "historic window of opportunity."
According to the report, the island's economic weakening, exacerbated by the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3rd and the collapse of Venezuelan oil supply, has led Trump to intensify economic, diplomatic, and symbolic pressure against Havana.
President Trump himself has been explicit in his assessment. "Cuba seems close to collapse. I don't know how they can sustain themselves," he recently stated, emphasizing that the regime lost its main source of revenue with Venezuela.
The threat of tariffs on third-party countries trading oil with Cuba reinforces this logic of total encirclement. It not only strikes the island but also sends a direct warning to potential energy allies attempting to replace Caracas.
Key Questions About U.S. Tariffs and Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is the purpose of Trump's executive order on tariffs?
The executive order aims to impose tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba, with the goal of cutting off economic support and forcing Cuba to negotiate with the U.S.
How might these tariffs impact Cuba's economy?
The tariffs could exacerbate Cuba's energy crisis, leading to increased blackouts and economic instability, as the country heavily relies on imported oil.
What are the potential repercussions for countries supplying oil to Cuba?
Countries involved in supplying oil to Cuba could face trade sanctions and tariffs, affecting their economic relations with the United States.