Colombian President Gustavo Petro made a statement this past Sunday on his X account, attributing the hunger and poverty in Cuba to the longstanding U.S. embargo. Petro argues that removing these restrictions would lead to political changes on the island, responding directly to recent comments made by Donald Trump about taking control of Cuba.
In his post, Petro remarked, "Stop the nonsense: Cuba experiences hunger and poverty, mitigated only by education and health, because of a criminal blockade that has persisted for decades."
The tweet was a counter to journalist Cesar Augusto Londoño, who referenced a previous statement by the Colombian leader that deemed any military aggression against Cuba an attack on all of Latin America.
Petro's Central Argument
The core of Petro's message is clear: "Lift the blockade on Cuba, and you'll see political changes, perhaps not as the current Cuban system desires, but also not as some Miami Cubans wish, who may not realize that Miami is one of the cities most at risk due to the climate crisis."
Petro concluded his post with a warning: "Those who wish to invade Cuba will only ignite political violence across Latin America and extinguish its nascent democracy."
Context of Petro's Statement
His remarks come a day after Trump claimed during a Forum Club dinner in West Palm Beach that the United States would "take Cuba almost immediately" after completing operations in Iran, suggesting the hypothetical deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier 100 yards off Cuba's coast to force the regime's surrender.
Petro's stance isn't new. On the previous Saturday, he had already stated that "the Caribbean is a zone of peace and that should be respected," asserting that "this continent is the continent of Freedom and not invasions," reflecting a consistent pattern of alignment with Havana.
Historical Background and Reactions
In April, during an interview with RTVE in Barcelona, Petro labeled the embargo as "genocide," claiming it was "starving a population." In February, he urged Trump to reopen talks with Cuba, and in October 2025, he boycotted an international summit due to Cuba's exclusion.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime reacted defiantly to Trump's threats. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla stated that Cuba "will not be intimidated," while Miguel Díaz-Canel declared that "no aggressor will subdue the island," appealing to the international community against what he termed "dangerous and unprecedented threats."
Divergent Views on Cuba's Crisis
Petro's argument stands in stark contrast to those who claim that it is the 67 years of communist dictatorship, rather than Washington, that is the primary barrier to Cuban freedom. They argue that the island's structural crisis is a direct result of the totalitarian model enforced since 1959.
Since January 2026, the Trump administration has imposed over 240 new sanctions against Cuba, intercepted at least seven oil tankers, and reduced Cuban energy imports by 80% to 90%, worsening a crisis that already led to power outages lasting up to 25 hours daily.
FAQs on U.S. Embargo and Political Changes in Cuba
What is Gustavo Petro's stance on the U.S. embargo against Cuba?
Gustavo Petro believes that the U.S. embargo is responsible for hunger and poverty in Cuba and argues that lifting it would lead to significant political changes on the island.
How has the Cuban government responded to Trump's recent comments?
The Cuban government, through officials like Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla and Miguel Díaz-Canel, has responded defiantly, stating that Cuba will not be intimidated and calling for international support against what they view as unprecedented threats.