Archive · 6 Aug 2026
UN experts warn US sanctions push Cuba into full-blown crisis
The United States has not allowed most trade with Cuba for a very long time, since 1962.
Now the US is adding even more rules that make it hard for Cuba to get things like fuel.
Because of this, many people in Cuba don't have enough electricity, water, food, or medicine.
Recently, the whole country had a big blackout, which means the lights went out.
A group of experts who work for the United Nations say this is becoming a very serious problem, a full-blown crisis.
They say the rules are hurting people's health and making life much harder, even causing trash to pile up in the capital.
The experts are asking countries around the world to help Cuba.
They also want the United States to stop the extra rules and threats.
They are asking the UN Security Council and the General Assembly to talk about it soon.
UN rights experts urged the international community to act quickly, warning that expanding US sanctions could push Cuba into a 'full-blown crisis' and worsen the humanitarian situation on the island.
Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962, but pressure has intensified after President Donald Trump expanded economic measures, including restrictions affecting fuel supplies.
Sanctions announced on July 23 targeted Cuba's energy sector, making fuel procurement harder even for humanitarian purposes, amid acute fuel shortages and the country's third major nationwide blackout.
An Executive Order signed in January 2026 declared a national emergency on Cuba and authorized tariffs on countries supplying crude oil, while May 2026 measures imposed secondary sanctions on non-US entities and financial institutions doing business with Cuban state institutions or GAESA.
The experts urged the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly to take up the issue urgently as a matter of international peace and security, and called on the US to revoke measures contrary to international law.
- Who
- UN rights experts (special rapporteurs), the Cuban population, and the administration of US President Donald Trump
- What
- Experts warned that expanding US sanctions could push Cuba into a full-blown humanitarian crisis and urged urgent UN action
- When
- Thursday, August 06, 2026 (experts' statement); latest sanctions announced July 23; measures expanded since June 2026
- Where
- Cuba, including Havana, and the United Nations
- Why
- US sanctions, especially restrictions on fuel and energy, have worsened fuel shortages, blackouts, and access to water, food and medicine in Cuba
Opponents of US sanctions
US administration
Cuba sanctions policy
Opponents of US sanctions
UN experts say expanding US sanctions, especially on fuel and energy, are pushing Cuba into a full-blown humanitarian crisis and must be revoked because they stand contrary to international law.
US administration
The Trump administration has expanded sanctions targeting key sectors of Cuba's economy, fuel supplies, and entities and financial institutions doing business with Cuban state institutions or the military-run conglomerate GAESA.
National emergency and tariffs
Opponents of US sanctions
Experts say the US must cease all threats and hostile acts against Cuba's sovereignty and revoke all measures imposed on the country that stand contrary to international law.
US administration
The US signed an Executive Order in January 2026 declaring a national emergency regarding Cuba and authorizing tariffs on countries supplying crude oil to the island.
- US trade embargo on Cuba
- In place since 1962
- Latest sanctions announced
- July 23
- Latest sanctions target
- Cuba's energy sector
- Cuba's power situation
- Acute fuel shortages and third major nationwide blackout
- Executive Order on Cuba
- Signed January 2026, declared national emergency on Cuba
- Secondary sanctions
- Imposed May 2026 on entities dealing with Cuban state institutions or GAESA
- UN bodies urged to act
- UN Security Council and UN General Assembly
- Experts issuing statement
- UN special rapporteurs under Human Rights Council mandates (independent, not speaking for the UN)