The executive order signed on Thursday by President Donald Trump, declaring a "national emergency" regarding Cuba, has sparked a wave of headlines, analyses, and speculations. However, it includes a critical clarification that needs to be highlighted.
Yleen Poblete, a former assistant secretary of the State Department and a political strategy adviser, has provided an essential explanation on the matter, as reported by journalist Wilfredo Cancio on social media.
Cancio explained, "The national emergency declaration about Cuba is a continuation of the emergency declared on March 1, 1996. This followed the Cuban MiGs shooting down two humanitarian U.S. aircraft over international waters, resulting in the deaths of three American citizens and a permanent resident."
Since then, this national emergency has been renewed annually by successive presidents from both major political parties.
New Tariffs Targeting Oil Suppliers to Cuba
The 1996 emergency has been extended every year, with the latest renewal by President Trump occurring on February 24, 2025. The only new element in the "national emergency" document released this Thursday is the announcement of tariffs against products from countries that sell or supply oil or its derivatives to the Cuban regime.
Therefore, the proclamation signed by Trump does not represent a new or separate declaration of emergency. Rather, it is an extension of the national emergency first declared in March 1996.
What has changed now? The new executive order introduces a mechanism to impose tariffs on products from countries that sell or supply oil or derivatives to Cuba.
The White House confirmed that this measure aims to cut off the Cuban regime's access to the fuels that sustain its energy and political apparatus, primarily coming from allies like Venezuela.
A Comprehensive Strategy to Isolate Cuba
This order instructs the Secretary of Commerce to identify countries involved in supplying crude oil to the island, while the Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies, will determine if additional punitive tariffs are appropriate.
As contextualized by The Wall Street Journal, this new executive order is part of the Trump administration's comprehensive strategy to provoke regime change in Cuba by the end of 2026, leveraging what officials see as a "historic window of opportunity."
The inclusion of tariffs is not only intended to economically strangle the Cuban government but also to deter any other country from replacing Venezuela as a fuel supplier. Strategically, it represents a total encirclement.
The executive order also states that the policies and actions of the Cuban government pose "an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States."
The text accuses Cuba of:
- Maintaining the largest Russian intelligence base outside of Russia.
- Deepening military and intelligence ties with the People's Republic of China.
- Harboring and cooperating with groups considered terrorists like Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Destabilizing the region through migration, violence, and support for non-state actors.
- Exercising systematic repression on its population, restricting fundamental human rights.
"The United States has zero tolerance for the depredations of the communist Cuban regime," the decree states.
"We will act to protect U.S. foreign policy, national security, and interests while remaining committed to the Cuban people's aspirations for a free and democratic society."
Legal Framework and Implementation Structure
The order is based on three fundamental legal instruments of U.S. law:
- The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).
- The National Emergencies Act.
- Title 3 of the United States Code.
The implementation will depend on the Secretaries of Commerce and State and can be adjusted according to circumstances or retaliatory measures from other governments.
It also instructs the State Department to monitor and periodically report to Congress on the development and consequences of the measure.
The Cuban regime has already reacted. Recently, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez described the measure as a "brutal aggression."
Key Aspects of the U.S. National Emergency Order on Cuba
What is the basis for the U.S. national emergency regarding Cuba?
The U.S. national emergency concerning Cuba is a continuation of the emergency declared on March 1, 1996, after Cuban MiGs shot down two humanitarian U.S. aircraft, resulting in the deaths of four individuals.
What changes does Trump's executive order introduce?
The executive order introduces tariffs on countries that supply oil or its derivatives to Cuba, aiming to cut off the Cuban regime's access to essential fuels.
What is the strategic goal of the U.S. in imposing these tariffs?
The strategic goal is to economically isolate the Cuban government and dissuade other countries from providing fuel, aiming to provoke regime change by the end of 2026.