The relationship between Cuba and the United States has reached its most strained point in decades, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The order declares a national emergency, citing the Cuban regime as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. security and foreign policy.
Nevertheless, official responses from Havana have been conspicuously absent. Neither President Miguel Díaz-Canel nor Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, both typically active on social media, have made public statements about the U.S. measure.
This silence is stark given Washington's decision to establish a tariff system that imposes additional duties on products from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba, either directly or indirectly.
So far, the only institutional response has been a brief note on the official Cubadebate website, titled “Another Turn of the Screw: Trump Threatens to Impose Tariffs on Products from Countries Supplying Oil to Cuba.” The state-run outlet merely reproduces excerpts from the White House decree without offering political commentary or statements from Cuban authorities.
Amid this official silence, one of the few voices to publicly react has been Carlos Miguel Pérez Reyes, a National Assembly deputy. In a message released Thursday, he described the measure as “an unjust and inhumane action.”
“The U.S. once again resorts to blackmail by declaring a supposed ‘national emergency’ against Cuba and threatening to impose tariffs on countries supplying us with oil. This is an extraterritorial, unjust, and inhumane measure designed to strangle the Cuban people and hinder our development,” Pérez stated.
The legislator further argued that this policy aims to force surrender through collective punishment, exacerbating shortages and hardships in daily life, when in reality, the regime is chiefly to blame.
“For over six decades, the policy of coercion and blockade against Cuba has inflicted enormous harm—not just economically but also humanly, limiting access to fuel, food, medicine, technology, and financing. Yet Cuba has maintained a firm and calm stance,” Pérez asserted.
He defended national sovereignty and accused the United States of acting “as if it owns the world.”
“Such abusive behavior cannot be normalized or justified. The Cuban people are not afraid, but they do have a fundamental, non-negotiable right: to live in peace. Cuba will continue to stand tall, with dignity, defending what belongs to it—its independence, its tranquility, and its future,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime remains utterly silent in what could be considered one of the most significant confrontations between Washington and Havana since the 1962 Missile Crisis, amidst a deep energy and economic crisis within the island.
Understanding the Current U.S.-Cuba Tensions
What led to the current tensions between Cuba and the United States?
The tensions have escalated following an executive order by President Donald Trump, which declares a national emergency due to Cuba being seen as a threat to U.S. security and foreign policy.
How has the Cuban government responded to the U.S. measures?
There has been no significant official response from the Cuban government, with only a brief note on an official website and no public statements from key leaders.
What are the implications of the U.S. tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba?
The tariffs could further isolate Cuba economically, as they target countries that provide essential oil supplies, potentially worsening the island's energy crisis.