Cuban officials, in a recent forum in Geneva, criticized the United States for instigating a humanitarian crisis through energy blockades targeting the island nation. The remarks were made in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to cut significant oil supplies from Venezuela to Cuba after the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. According to Cuban Minister B. Rodriguez, the U.S. seeks to use exaggerated claims about Cuba being a threat to national security to justify these actions.

For decades, Cuba has struggled under a U.S. trade embargo that has severely restricted access to essential goods, including fuel, medicine, and food. Rodriguez highlighted the ongoing issues faced by the 9.6 million inhabitants of the Caribbean nation, who have encountered extended power outages and shortages long before losing their main oil supplier last month. He condemned the U.S. actions as equivalent to collective punishment against the people of Cuba, calling them criminal and illegal.

The U.S. administration's strategy has drawn international attention as it claims to be protecting national security while allegedly exacerbating the humanitarian situation in Cuba. The implications of these sanctions not only impact the Cuban population but also reflect broader geopolitical tensions in the region, particularly concerning U.S. relations with Venezuela and Cuba. Rodriguez's comments underscore the urgency for dialogue and humanitarian considerations amid escalating sanctions and diplomatic strains between the nations involved.