Cuba criticizes US oil blockade as Trump anticipates agreement

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the United States's oil blockade against Cuba during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), labeling it an "act of collective punishment" aimed at creating a humanitarian crisis. His remarks were made on September 26, 2026, amid ongoing tensions between Washington and Havana. US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential agreement between the two countries, stating, "I would say that Cuba and us will make a deal. I don’t think we’ll need the military. Cuba is failing very badly. We want to help Cuba." Rodriguez stated that Cuba is open to negotiations, emphasizing the need for discussions based on "sovereign equality" and without preconditions. He also warned that any US military action would lead to significant destruction, saying, "Let’s hope that this never happens." Earlier in the week, Trump referred to Cuba as an "absolutely failed state" during his UN address, asserting that "freedom will be coming" to the island, which prompted Cuba's delegation to walk out. The US has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba for over 60 years, with the Trump administration advocating for a change in Cuba's government. The recent oil blockade has exacerbated fuel shortages and blackouts in Cuba, with officials attributing difficulties in providing food and basic needs to these measures. Countries including Brazil, Mexico, and Pakistan have criticized the embargo and the oil blockade, calling for an end to unilateral economic restrictions on Cuba. Since 1992, the UN General Assembly has consistently supported a resolution urging the end of the US economic, commercial, and financial embargo on Cuba.