US Imperialism Declares National Emergency on Cuba, Expands Tariffs

In an intensification of the long-standing US blockade on Cuba, ultra-reactionary President Trump signed an executive order on January 29 imposing tariffs on Cuba that place additional duty fees on products of countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba.

The Trump administration justified the tariffs by claiming that “Cuba constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat… to the national security and foreign policy of the United States” despite Cuba having never carried out an act of aggression against the US.

“I think Cuba will not be able to survive,” Trump said following the executive order.

On February 5, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said that “Cuba is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States” so long as it takes place “without pressure, without preconditions, on an equal footing, and with respect for our sovereignty, independence and self-determination.”

Since 1960, the United States has maintained a blockade on Cuba, leading to consistent shortages in necessities such as food and medical supplies. During the 58-year period between 1960 and 2018, the blockade has cost the Cuban economy an estimated $933 billion.

The recent imposition of new tariffs has created fuel shortages, resulting in blackouts, skyrocketing transportation costs, and food shortages. In response, the Cuban government rolled out a rationing plan on February 6 to ensure fuel for certain sectors such as agricultural production, education, water supply, healthcare, and national defense. Other aspects of the plan involve a four-day workweek for State employees and limited fuel sales.

The intensified blockade is part of US imperialism’s broader plan to maintain its status as the world’s sole hegemonic superpower by deepening its domination of Latin America. In early January, US forces bombed Venezuela and kidnapped its President Maduro and First Lady Flores while threatening the interim government into submission.

Now, US imperialism is leveraging its domination of Venezuela to advance its attack on Cuba and intimidate other Latin American countries.

On January 11, Trump vowed that no oil or money will be sent to Cuba from Venezuela, which was Cuba’s long-time top oil supplier until the December 2025 blockade of Venezuela’s oil. Mexico, who has been Cuba’s largest oil supplier since the US blockade against Venezuelan oil tankers, has also capitulated to US imperialism and ceased to ship oil to Cuba.

Image: The flag of Cuba. Credit: Rawpixel.

---

The Worker is an entirely volunteer-run revolutionary newspaper free from and radically antagonistic to corporate influence. We rely on the support of our readers to sustain our editorial line in service of the working class and the reconstitution of its party, the Communist Party. Make a one-time or recurring donation to our newspaper today: