Three Republican members of Congress from Florida, representing districts with significant Cuban-American populations, are calling on the Trump administration to close remaining loopholes in the embargo against Cuba. This comes in response to warnings from Cuba's President Miguel Díaz-Canel that the country is nearing a critical failure due to dwindling oil supplies. With the U.S. having already restricted key oil imports, these legislators view floating the embargo loopholes as an essential step in further crippling the Castro regime's support.

Díaz-Canel has characterized the U.S. oil blockade as 'genocidal' and 'fascist,' arguing that it endangers the lives of the Cuban people. However, the Florida Congress members, Reps. Carlos Giménez, Mario Díaz-Balart, and María Elvira Salazar, express a different perspective, contending that further tightening of the embargo is a necessary action to support the Cuban people's struggles against their governments. They aim to pressure the Commerce Department to terminate any remaining licenses that allow goods and services to flow to the Cuban regime.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the potential for a complete oil supply breakdown in less than two weeks. As the situation in Cuba continues to deteriorate, this push from U.S. legislators reflects ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Cuba and highlights the complexities involved in foreign policy decisions that affect both nations and their citizens.