Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla once again laid blame on the United States for many of the challenges facing Cuba. This time, his remarks were made at a ministerial meeting of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) held in New York during the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
In comments shared on social media, Rodríguez accused former President Donald Trump's administration of attempting to enforce "the outdated Monroe Doctrine" in Latin America and the Caribbean through what he described as "new and unacceptable corollaries."
The foreign minister claimed that Washington leverages military presence linked to drug trafficking combat, tariffs against Latin American nations, and initiatives aimed at dividing the region as "tools of domination." He also highlighted actions intended to undermine regional integration mechanisms.
Rodríguez called for the defense of the declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, a resolution adopted by CELAC in Havana in 2014. However, his primary focus remained on Cuba.
The Cuban regime's top diplomat denounced what he described as an unprecedented "tightening of the U.S. blockade," listing its components as the so-called "energy siege," secondary sanctions, a "violent media offensive," and an alleged "threat of military aggression."
His declarations come amid escalating tensions between Havana and Washington. The Trump administration intensified economic and political pressure on the Cuban regime throughout 2026, while the island's Foreign Ministry has increasingly cited the "energy siege" as a key explanation for the deepening crisis.
In early September, Rodríguez convened a meeting with heads of Cuban diplomatic missions abroad, reiterating his attribution of the country's situation to the embargo, secondary sanctions, and U.S. energy restrictions.
Contrary to Rodríguez's claims, international assessments have offered different perspectives on Cuba's crisis. In July, during proceedings leading to an extraordinary debate at the United Nations, the European Union called for urgent political and economic reforms in Cuba, emphasizing that the population's issues cannot be solely attributed to U.S. sanctions.
Washington took a firmer stance. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz accused the Cuban government of perpetually blaming the United States for its economic woes, demanding the release of political prisoners, greater economic freedoms, and respect for Cuban rights.
The vote to authorize the extraordinary debate resulted in 136 approvals, nine rejections, and 30 abstentions. Although this was a different procedure from the annual embargo resolution, the 30 abstentions significantly exceeded the 12 recorded in October 2025. Rodríguez interpreted the outcome as a diplomatic "victory."
The foreign minister's renewed campaign coincides with millions of Cubans enduring the fallout from the deteriorating National Electroenergetic System, with prolonged blackouts and repeated network collapses. While Havana primarily blames U.S. restrictions on fuel and financing, the deterioration of thermal power plants, lack of maintenance and investment over decades, and reliance on imported fuels also contribute to a structural crisis predating Washington's latest measures.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to New York to join Trump at the General Assembly and has described Washington's strategy as "closing every escape route" for the Cuban regime, a stance that starkly contrasts with the victimization narrative Rodríguez presented to CELAC peers.
Understanding the Cuban Crisis and U.S. Relations
What are the main accusations made by Bruno Rodríguez against the U.S.?
Bruno Rodríguez accuses the U.S. of imposing the Monroe Doctrine, using military presence and tariffs as tools of domination, and causing an "energy siege" and media offensive against Cuba.
How has the international community responded to Cuba's crisis?
The European Union has called for political and economic reforms in Cuba, while the U.S. has demanded political freedom and economic rights. Both suggest that Cuba's issues are not solely due to U.S. sanctions.
What internal challenges contribute to Cuba's crisis?
Cuba faces internal challenges such as the deterioration of thermal power plants, lack of maintenance and investment, and reliance on imported fuels, which contribute to its energy crisis.
What is the significance of the CELAC declaration in 2014?
The CELAC declaration in 2014 proclaimed Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace, emphasizing the region's commitment to peaceful coexistence and non-intervention.