The Trump administration has since tightened the decades-old US embargo, threatening tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba. The US Treasury has said it may allow limited oil sales for humanitarian and commercial purposes, but shortages remain severe. The fuel crisis has triggered long daily blackouts, disrupted hospital services, closed schools and halted waste collection across the island. Cuban economist Ricardo Torres says the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” strategy is aimed at regime change, exploiting internal crisis to weaken the socialist system from within. Former US ambassador to Cuba Jeffrey DeLaurentis says the revolution’s survival may depend on whether other countries step in with tangible support.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 27, 2026 14:52 UTC