Russia has also threatened that the deteriorating energy crisis in Cuba is moving to a critical level with the United States accused of enforcing what it termed as suffocating policies on the Caribbean state.
On Monday, spokesperson of the Kremlin Dmitry Peskov stated that Moscow is already deliberating on possible means to aid Havana and that it would be willing to offer assistance as the circumstances worsen. He pointed the fault of the policies of Washington that have contributed to the crisis by stating that US pressure has imposed harsh load on the Cuba economy and energy system.
There is really a critical situation in Cuba, told the reporters in Moscow, Peskov. The measures that are being taken by the United States are placing the country in grave problems and we are contemplating the possible solutions that can be provided to help in providing whatever help is needed.
The energy crisis has only worsened in the recent weeks when the United States suspended oil shipments to Cuba due to the decision the country made to stop oil shipments to Venezuela. The relocation was after a dramatic US operation in early January which saw the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro which crippled the regional tension. Other countries since then too have been advised against delivering fuel to Cuba by Washington who has threatened tariffs and economic sanctions.
US President Donald Trump has targeted other countries like Mexico, threatening to start trade sanctions in case of constant fuel shipments to Cuba. Years of US sanctions have already pushed the island to its knees and the spillage of fuel supplies has put its power system on the verge of collapsing.
The criticism by Moscow was also echoed by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in some other statements that were published by the Foreign Ministry. Lavrov said that Russia supported the people of Cuba and Venezuela, that both countries had the right to choose their political and economic destiny without foreign interference.
Shortages of fuel have dramatically caused an interruption in the daily lives of the Cuban people. The power plants are working beyond their capacity with frequent cuts in power and massive power cuts. To this, the government of Cuba has reacted by introducing an emergency state, such as cutting down the working week of state workers, restricted fuel supplies, university shutdowns, and decreased school time.
The aviation industry has not been spared as well. The Cuban authorities have also threatened to stop selling jet fuel in the island to the international airlines and Air Canada announced that it has suspended flights to Cuba because of inaccessibility of aviation fuel.
Moscow has several times condemned the US activity as unacceptable and threatened that the state of affairs might arise into a humanitarian crisis. The criticism by Russia is not isolated to the United Nations which has also raised eyebrows. The warning came recently by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres who warned that Cuba would collapse humanitarianly unless its energy demands are relentlessly met.
The policy of Washington has been severely criticized by Cuban officials. Through the Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodriguez, the US activities were termed as inhuman aggression that was focused on shattering the political will of the Cuban population. He admitted that the position is very tough and that it will demand considerable concessions although he reiterated that Cuba was ready to use dialogue but not by coercion.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel has also indicated that Havana was still willing to negotiate with the United States, but this would have to be on equal terms.
Mexico has also promised further assistance despite pressure by the US. President Claudia Sheinbaum condemned sanctions that cause harm to civilians as being inhumane and unfair. She indicated that Mexico would be involved in a diplomatic process to resume fuel supplies to Cuba, although the country is trying to evade the possibility of retaliatory tariffs by its biggest trading partner, the United States.
Trump has termed Cuba an extraordinary threat to US national security and has repeated his willingness to increase economic pressure on the oil-suppliers of the island, making clear the hardline policy of Washington towards Havana.