Nicolas Maduro’s ouster, Trump’s oil blockade push Cuba to the brink, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• Cuba faces a severe oil crisis with only 15-20 days of supply left due to a U.S. naval blockade and sanctions.
• The crisis was triggered by the U.S. military operation in Venezuela and subsequent disruption of oil shipments to Cuba.
• A January 29 executive order by the U.S. threatens punitive tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba, exacerbating the situation.
• Venezuela previously supplied a significant portion of Cuba's oil, but shipments have ceased following recent events.
• Mexico initially stepped in to fill the gap but faces pressure due to the U.S. order and trade pact renegotiations.

Detailed Insights:

• Cuba's dependence on oil is structural, with 83% of power generation and 56% of energy consumption reliant on oil products.
• The U.S. economic coercion against Cuba began in 1962 and was reinforced by the Torricelli Act (1992) and Helms-Burton Act (1996).
• The U.S. redesignated Cuba as a 'State Sponsor of Terrorism' in January 2021, further intensifying economic pressure.
• The current crisis is more severe than the 'Special Period' of the 1990s, as Venezuela, a former lifeline, is now unable to provide support.
• The U.S. accuses Cuba of aligning with countries like Russia, China, and Iran, and of destabilizing the region through migration.
• The Cuban government denies these accusations and has offered cooperation on counter-terrorism and drug trafficking.
• The situation is expected to disproportionately affect ordinary Cubans, who are already experiencing long power blackouts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Economic Coercion: The use of economic measures to compel a country to change its policies.
• Embargo: A government-imposed ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.
• Sanctions: Penalties imposed on a country, usually economic, to force compliance with international law.