Three months into a crippling fuel shortage triggered by Washington’s January decision to halt oil deliveries, Cuba teeters on the brink of humanitarian collapse. Power outages, grounded transport, and empty gas stations have become the new normal, painting a grim picture of an island under siege.
Spain, alongside Brazil and Mexico, issued a stern joint communique on Saturday, expressing deep concern and imploring relevant actors to implement relief measures without delay. Published on the Spanish foreign ministry’s site and covered by Xinhua, the statement explicitly warned against steps that worsen civilian hardships or violate global norms.
The three countries pledged to ramp up unified humanitarian assistance while reiterating the imperative of upholding international law. They highlighted UN Charter tenets like territorial sovereignty and non-violent conflict resolution, alongside vows to human rights and democratic principles.
‘We seek concrete resolutions allowing Cuba’s people to determine their destiny autonomously,’ they declared. On the ground, a UN representative revealed that even as scant fuel trickles in—including a Russian tanker permitted to dock amid U.S. naval presence—demands far outstrip supply. The energy meltdown has accelerated since March’s end.
Cuba once relied heavily on Venezuelan petroleum, a lifeline severed by U.S. actions against Maduro. With factories idle and hospitals strained, the crisis demands urgent diplomatic breakthroughs. This unified international outcry could mark a turning point in pressuring policy shifts.
