Cuba Crisis: US Sanctions & Humanitarian Impact | The Marc Steiner Show

US Sanctions Intensify Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba, UN Rapporteur Warns

Havana – A confluence of factors, including tightened US sanctions and a critical shortage of fuel, is driving Cuba towards a deepening humanitarian crisis, according to reports and analysis from journalists on the ground and international observers. The situation, described as increasingly dire, is impacting access to basic necessities like food, medicine and transportation.

Liz Oliva Fernández, a Cuban journalist and documentary filmmaker, described the current reality in Cuba as profoundly difficult, but emphasized that the Cuban people harbor no resentment towards the American people. “Cuban people love everyone who are coming from outside and trying to share with them whatever we have at that moment,” she stated in a recent interview on The Marc Steiner Show. However, she sharply distinguished between the population and the policies of the US government, asserting that Cuba poses no threat to the United States.

The most immediate crisis stems from a blockade of oil imports, which has led to widespread blackouts and disruptions to public transportation. “We haven’t received any oil shipment since December,” Fernández explained. “Every country around the world needs oil to run. So right now we have long blackouts… people have to use moving around like walking, trying to get a private taxi.” The resulting price increases are making basic transportation unaffordable for many Cubans.

Beyond transportation, the lack of fuel is impacting essential services. Schools are sending students home for online classes – a challenging prospect given the unreliable internet access exacerbated by the blackouts. Hospitals are functioning, but with limited resources. Fernández characterized the situation as a “pandemic economic crisis,” creating widespread uncertainty and anxiety.

The shortages extend to the healthcare system, a point of particular concern given Cuba’s internationally recognized medical achievements. Fernández noted the scarcity of even basic medications like acetaminophen, a stark contrast to Cuba’s capacity to develop its own COVID-19 vaccines. “You barely can’t find acetaminophen for pain,” she said. “That’s unthinkable for a country like Cuba that is capable to design and to create their own vaccines.”

These hardships are occurring against a backdrop of decades-long US sanctions, which have been intensified in recent years. Alena Douhan, the UN rapporteur on the impact of unilateral coercive measures, affirmed in November 2025 that US sanctions “have substantially exacerbated the humanitarian situation” in Cuba. Her preliminary report, due for completion in September 2026, calls on the US to cease using sanctions as a political tool, including rhetoric about “state sponsors of terrorism” and allegations of forced labor.

Fernández highlighted a shift in the public mood, noting a recent demonstration honoring 32 Cubans who died in Venezuela. “For the first time in many years, I see people that really move for something that was happened inside of Cuba,” she observed. While acknowledging the fatigue and frustration felt by many Cubans, she also sensed a renewed sense of solidarity and determination.

However, Fernández expressed deep concern about the future, particularly given the potential for a continued hardline US policy. She emphasized the need for international solidarity, not just expressions of concern, but concrete actions to alleviate the crisis. “We need the people who actually cares about what is going on in Cuba with then in solidarity with Cuba, not just speeches and saying things. I’m talking about actions,” she urged. She suggested supporting Cuban initiatives focused on renewable energy, food security, and community development.

Fernández also stressed the importance of recognizing the broader implications of the US policy towards Cuba. “If we don’t make them respect the law, that’s going to be a disaster. Not just for Cuba, but for the rest of the world,” she warned. She fears that a continued disregard for international law could embolden further aggressive actions and destabilize the region.

The situation in Cuba remains precarious, with the island nation facing a complex web of economic, political, and humanitarian challenges. As Fernández powerfully conveyed, the resilience of the Cuban people is being tested as never before, and their future hinges on both their own determination and the support of the international community.