Trump Pressures Cuba as Island's Fuel Crisis Deepens
US President Donald Trump tightened economic pressure on Cuba as a deepening fuel shortage paralysed daily life on the island. Havana said reduced oil shipments from Venezuela and US sanctions are at the heart of the crisis.
Queues at petrol stations in Havana stretch for days, public transport has been pared back, and rolling blackouts have become part of daily life. The Cuban government blamed the shortfall on a sharp drop in crude shipments from its ally Venezuela and on financing obstacles created by US sanctions.
Washington redesignated Cuba a state sponsor of terrorism last month and signed measures that complicate foreign banks' transactions with the island. Trump on Wednesday described Cuba's economic model as a failure and called on the government to pursue democratic reforms.
Outward migration from the island has accelerated in recent months, and analysts say the fuel crisis is rippling into food distribution and healthcare. The European Union called for humanitarian aid for Cuba but appears reluctant to confront Washington directly. Havana's next step remains unclear.
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