During a recent meeting with Members of Parliament in Canada, Cuba’s ambassador, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, condemned the United States' oil blockade against Cuba, asserting that it is 'suffocating' the Cuban people and contributing to a dire humanitarian situation. He emphasized that this blockade has significantly limited access to essential goods, fuel, and supplies, adversely impacting various sectors including food distribution, education, and public health. The ambassador articulated that the blockade's primary aim is to incite a humanitarian crisis in order to provoke political change within the Cuban government. Malmierca Diaz labeled the situation a form of 'collective punishment' on the Cuban populace, and he argued that although people may disagree with Cuba's political system, there is no justification for the suffering inflicted by such a powerful nation due to its economic and military leverage. In his address to the House foreign affairs committee, the ambassador called on the Canadian government to uphold its commitment to provide an aid package to Cuba. He underscored the pressing need for international solidarity to alleviate the conditions faced by the Cuban people as a result of the ongoing blockade, urging Canadians to support humanitarian efforts aimed at addressing the crisis.