Humberto López, a prominent government spokesperson, has described the recent executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which penalizes nations supplying oil to the Cuban regime, as a "massacre" and "extermination."
During his broadcast on Canal Caribe on February 3, 2026, López spent a significant portion of his program criticizing Washington's decision. He argued that this measure represents a "brutal aggression against Cuba" and a breach of international law.
"The United States is forcing third countries to engage with Cuba on terms dictated by them... Allowing this sets a dangerous precedent in international political and economic relations," López declared. He went on to emphasize, "It's a massacre, it's slaughter, I repeat the term, this is extermination."
López further asserted that Trump's executive order obstructs the acquisition of medicines, medical equipment parts, and the fuel essential for powering hospitals, labeling it as an attempt to "annihilate" the Cuban people. "How many children, elderly, or cancer patients are waiting for medication that can't be obtained due to the blockade?" he posed to his audience.
The Executive Order and Oil Blockade
On January 29, Trump signed a decree declaring a national emergency, facilitating the imposition of tariffs on products from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba. This measure aims to cut off a critical economic lifeline for the regime amidst prolonged blackouts, stalled production, and the loss of Venezuelan energy support following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3.
According to White House sources cited by Reuters, the executive order is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to instigate regime change in Cuba by the end of 2026. They claim that Cuba "cannot sustain itself without foreign oil" and view the collapse of Venezuelan supply as a "historic opportunity."
Denial of Repression and Government Narrative
In the same program, López defended the regime's stance on human rights and internal dissent, asserting that "political opponents are not persecuted in Cuba." He claimed that only individuals committing "crimes against state security and other common offenses" face action, denying any ideological persecution.
The spokesperson insisted that the U.S. uses human rights as a "pretext" to justify its "political aggression," accusing Washington of manipulating information about Cuba. López drew parallels between repression incidents in Cuba and historical U.S. events, citing the assassinations of Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and John F. Kennedy as examples of political violence "within the American system itself."
Reality Contradicts Humberto López
Contrary to López's claims, from August 2025 to January 2026, the Cuban regime consistently repressed and harassed activists and dissidents. During the anniversary of the Maleconazo in August, dozens of dissidents were besieged or prevented from leaving the country to stop public demonstrations. In November, a former political prisoner from July 11 left the island, citing ongoing harassment and threats.
By January 2026, coinciding with the new sanctions from Washington, interrogations, house arrests, and forced relocations of dissidents intensified. These actions were justified under the guise of "state security," mirroring López's narrative denying political persecution.
Organizations like Prisoners Defenders and Cubalex have documented hundreds of cases of political prisoners and ideologically motivated reprisals, directly contradicting López's assertions.
An Aligned Official Narrative
López’s intervention amplifies the regime's official narrative, which aims to shift the blame for the internal crisis onto the U.S. embargo. In contrast, analysts argue that Cuba's economic collapse primarily stems from systemic inefficiencies within the socialist model, military corruption, and GAESA's monopolistic control over strategic economic sectors.
As the Trump administration intensifies its efforts to financially isolate Havana, the official narrative seeks to rally internal support by appealing to nationalism and historical victimhood. In this context, regime spokespeople like López propagate a message that combines denial of repression, dramatization of the embargo, and staunch defense of Cuba's political model.
Amid severe shortages and growing social discontent, López's statements appear more aimed at solidifying the regime's discourse than offering real solutions to the population's hardships.
Understanding the U.S. Oil Blockade on Cuba
What are the implications of the U.S. oil blockade on Cuba?
The U.S. oil blockade aims to cut off a significant economic resource for the Cuban regime, exacerbating existing shortages and potentially leading to increased hardship for the Cuban people.
How has the Cuban government responded to the U.S. sanctions?
The Cuban government, through spokespersons like Humberto López, has condemned the sanctions as a brutal aggression and a violation of international law, while denying any repression of political dissidents.
What is the U.S. strategy behind the oil blockade?
The strategy is to provoke a regime change in Cuba by cutting off its access to foreign oil, thereby creating economic pressure that could lead to systemic collapse.