Attorney Luis Carlos Battista from FitzGeorge Law cautioned on Thursday that Senator Marco Rubio's sanction against CUPET could be the "final blow" to the Cuban regime. This comes as the Cuban populace already endures severe hardships, including power outages lasting up to 40 hours and an unprecedented drinking water crisis.
In a conversation with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, Battista shared his insights shortly after the U.S. Secretary of State announced the addition of the Cuban state oil company to the sanctions list under Executive Order 14404, signed by former President Donald Trump on May 1st.
"From a somewhat human perspective, beyond the legal aspects: What happens to the civilian population whose quality of life is continually deteriorating?" Battista questioned.
The attorney described the situation as "untenable for both the Cuban government and the U.S. government," noting that a humanitarian crisis just 90 miles from U.S. shores serves neither party's interests.
The Impact on Essential Services
One of the most critical issues Battista highlighted is the effect on essential services that the Cuban state cannot outsource to the private sector, such as potable water pumping and ambulance operations.
This gap is neither new nor accidental. Since the general license was authorized in February 2026—formally approved on March 1—Cuban private small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have never been permitted to sell fuel for water trucks or ambulances, roles specifically reserved for the state and excluded from the license.
"The SMEs are importing oil, providing services, and still selling food, but what happens, for example, with water pumping to the civilian population?" Battista pondered.
A Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
With the sanction on CUPET halting shipments previously made under that general license, an already critical humanitarian situation is worsening. By the end of May, the water supply system operated with only 37% of the needed fuel, nearly three million people faced daily water scarcity, and just 18.3% received potable water daily.
Battista noted Rubio's measure aims to "completely encircle any participation of the Cuban state," though he warned this is not entirely feasible from a legal standpoint.
"We cannot revert to a primitive community where the state is absent anywhere in the world," he remarked.
The attorney also raised legal questions about the repercussions for SMEs that might have sold fuel to the Cuban state in violation of the license conditions.
"First, it's a breach of U.S. law," he stated, citing photographic evidence published by 14yMedio, but clarified he didn't want to generalize: "We shouldn't lump the innocent with the guilty."
The Broader Context of Sanctions
The CUPET sanction marks the second major action under Executive Order 14404, following an earlier sanction on the military conglomerate GAESA, blocking all assets and interests of the state company under U.S. jurisdiction.
On May 14, the Cuban regime's energy minister admitted the country had "absolutely no fuel or diesel."
"If we were discussing a solution to Cuba's problem by the day after tomorrow, this wouldn't be as significant, but since this appears to be a long-term issue, it could very well be the coup de grâce," Battista concluded.
Understanding CUPET Sanctions and Their Impact on Cuba
What is the significance of the sanctions on CUPET?
The sanctions on CUPET are significant because they exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Cuba, affecting essential services like water supply and emergency medical responses.
How do these sanctions affect the Cuban population?
The Cuban population faces worsening conditions, including extended power outages and critical shortages in potable water, as the sanctions restrict fuel supplies necessary for these services.
Why are SMEs unable to fill the gap left by state services?
SMEs in Cuba are restricted by law from providing fuel for essential state services like water trucks and ambulances, leaving a void that exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.