UN warns of humanitarian collapse in Cuba as US seeks to block oil supplies

Warning comes as US threatens tariffs on any country that supplies oil to the Caribbean island.Published On 5 Feb 2026United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned of a humanitarian “collapse” in Cuba if its energy needs go unmet after the United States moved to block all oil from reaching the Caribbean island and threatened tariffs on any nations that step in to help.The warning on Wednesday came amid a severe fuel shortage in Cuba that has prompted hours of blackouts, even in the capital Havana, as well as a surge in prices for food and transportation.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4The Take: Will the US force regime change in Cuba?list 2 of 4Cuba in contact with US, diplomat says, as Trump issues threat to block oillist 3 of 4Cuba denies security threat accusations as US raises pressurelist 4 of 4Week in pictures: From Israel’s Gaza killings to Russian strikes in Ukraineend of listStephane Dujarric, a spokesman for Guterres, told reporters in New York that the UN chief was “extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba”, which he said will “worsen if not collapse, if its oil needs go unmet”.Dujarric also noted that for more than three decades, the UN General Assembly, too, has consistently called for an end to the trade embargo imposed by the US on Cuba.“The secretary-general urges all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law,” he added.The US and Cuba have been foes since the Cuban revolution of 1959, when Fidel Castro took power, and his socialist government nationalised US-owned businesses. Washington responded with economic sanctions that were tightened into a full embargo in 1962.The Caribbean island has long been in the grip of an economic crisis and had relied on Venezuela for its oil until US forces abducted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a raid on his residence in Caracas last month.US President Donald Trump subsequently claimed control of Venezuelan oil and promised to starve Cuba of the commodity. He has labelled Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the US, and said he wants to “make a deal” with Cuba’s leadership, without saying what an agreement might look like.