A pall of despair has settled over Cuba as news filters through of President Donald Trump’s recent threat to impose tariffs on any nation supplying oil to the beleaguered island. Massive power outages have left many Cubans in the dark—both literally and figuratively—about the looming economic catastrophe that could further suffocate an already-struggling nation. As anger swells among the populace, the implications of the tariffs reverberate deeply within the fabric of everyday life.
Tariff Threat Ignites Fury
In the early hours following Trump’s announcement, the streets of Havana began to buzz with whispers of impending doom. The president’s proclamation, delivered late Thursday, branded Cuba a “failing nation” and threatened its already tenuous access to vital oil supplies. The impending sanctions are expected to exacerbate an already dire situation, marked by relentless blackouts and severe shortages of basic necessities.
“This is a war,” declared Lázaro Alfonso, an 89-year-old retired graphic designer, who expressed his frustration at the current state of affairs. He likened Trump to a “sheriff of the world,” lamenting that life in Cuba feels reminiscent of the lawless Wild West. Having survived the economic collapse during the “Special Period” of the 1990s, he believes the current crisis is even worse, as the nation grapples with crippling shortages and pervasive darkness. “The only thing that’s missing here in Cuba…is for bombs to start falling,” Alfonso added, highlighting the emotional toll of the ongoing crisis.
Infrastructure Collapse Deepens Crisis
The electricity grid in Cuba is crumbling under the weight of fuel shortages and an infrastructure that has long been neglected. Daily power demand hovers around 3,000 megawatts, yet supply frequently plummets to half that amount during peak hours. Residents are left to navigate life in darkness, with many unable to work or care for their families.
“This is impossible to live with,” lamented Yanius Cabrera Macías, a 47-year-old street vendor. He underscored that the true threat to Cubans lies not in external forces but within their own government. “In the end, it’s the people who suffer…not the governments,” he stated, as he reflected on the impending hardships that the new tariffs would unleash.
As Cuba’s economic crisis deepens, fears grow that the tariffs could sever vital ties with key suppliers. Speculation mounts over Mexico’s potential to reduce oil shipments, a lifeline that has become crucial since U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, Cuba’s primary ally, have crippled oil imports from that nation. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged to seek alternatives to avert a humanitarian disaster, but the uncertainty looms large.
An Uncertain Future
Experts are sounding alarms about the state of Cuba’s fuel reserves. Jorge Piñón of the University of Texas Energy Institute emphasised the urgency of the situation. “If no tanker looms on the horizon within the next four to eight weeks, Cuba’s future will be grim,” he warned. With diesel fuel being essential for the Cuban economy, any disruption to its supply could spell disaster.
Luis Alberto Mesa Acosta, a 56-year-old welder, voiced his frustration, recalling the hardships of the “Special Period.” “I don’t see the end of the tunnel anywhere,” he said, as he expressed a need for solidarity among Cubans. This sentiment resonates deeply as families struggle to cope with the relentless power outages.
Dayanira Herrera, a mother of a five-year-old boy, described the toll the outages have taken on her family. “We spend evenings on our stoop,” she explained, unable to provide a stable environment for her child. The shock of Trump’s announcement, she said, felt apocalyptic—“the end of the world,” as she put it.
Why it Matters
The impact of Trump’s tariff threat extends far beyond economic ramifications; it strikes at the heart of a nation’s resilience. As Cuba grapples with escalating hardship, the tariffs could deepen the humanitarian crisis, leading to widespread suffering among a population already beleaguered by scarcity and darkness. In a world that often overlooks the plight of ordinary people, the unfolding situation in Cuba demands urgent attention and solidarity. The international community must act to ensure that the innocent bear the brunt of political machinations no longer.
