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Canada Announces Aid Plan for Cuba as U.S. Oil Blockade Deepens, Russia Offers Support

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U.S. Oil Embargo Triggers Island‑Wide Fuel Crisis The Trump administration halted all oil shipments to Cuba, including Venezuelan supplies, creating severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts, and rising food and transport costs [1]. The United Nations warned that unmet energy needs could evolve into a full‑scale humanitarian emergency [1]. Similar shortages were noted by Russian officials, who linked the crisis to the U.S. blockade [2].

Canada Moves to Provide Humanitarian Assistance On February 24, Foreign Minister Anita Anand announced that Ottawa is formulating a plan to help Cuba, citing an “increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis” while withholding specific details [1]. Canada’s response follows the deepening U.S. oil embargo and reflects concern over potential disaster conditions on the island [1].

Russia Offers Political Backing and Potential Fuel Aid Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin on February 18, during which Putin pledged continued Russian support for Cuba’s sovereignty and security [2]. Lavrov urged the United States to abandon its sea‑blockade plans, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said any fuel assistance would not be linked to recent U.S.–Russia rapprochement [2].

Regional Oil Suppliers Cut Off Cuba After U.S. Actions Venezuela halted crude deliveries in January after the U.S. captured former President Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico stopped oil shipments following a tariff threat from Trump [1][2]. These suspensions have compounded Cuba’s fuel shortages and blackouts [1][2].

International Bodies Warn of Escalating Humanitarian Risk The UN warned that Cuba’s energy shortfall could trigger a humanitarian disaster if not addressed [1]. Additionally, the UN human‑rights office declared the U.S. raid on Maduro illegal, labeling the broader pressure campaign as an imperialist approach [1].

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Timeline

Jan 3, 2026 – US forces conduct a raid in Caracas, capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and kill 32 Cuban security personnel who were protecting Maduro, marking the deadliest US‑Cuban clash since the Cold War and cutting off the primary source of subsidized oil to Cuba [1][4].

Jan 11, 2026 – President Donald Trump posts on Truth Social that “there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba” and warns “Cuba will be failing pretty soon,” linking the ultimatum to the January raid on Maduro and demanding a rapid deal, while also declaring the US will now protect Venezuela [7][13][1].

Jan 12, 2026 – Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel replies on X, “No one dictates what we do,” rejecting Trump’s demand for a deal and framing the United States as a longtime aggressor that will not be allowed to dictate Cuban sovereignty [5].

Jan 28, 2026 – In Urbandale, Iowa, Trump tells reporters Cuba is “very close to failing” and urges Havana to negotiate before “it is too late,” while Cuban ambassador Carlos de Cespedes denounces the US oil blockade as “international piracy” [6][6].

Jan 28, 2026 – Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announces a temporary pause to Pemex oil shipments to Cuba, calling the decision a “sovereign” supply fluctuation and emphasizing that contracts, not politics, dictate shipment timing [12][12].

Jan 29, 2026 – US Embassy staff are warned that “nothing is getting in” and “no more oil is coming” to Cuba; the White House reportedly considers the first naval blockade of the island since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, raising the specter of a full maritime embargo [4][4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Trump signs an executive order imposing tariffs on any goods from countries that sell or provide oil to Cuba, explicitly targeting Mexico’s PEMEX shipments and further tightening economic pressure on Havana [11][11].

Feb 1, 2026 – On Air Force One, Trump declares the United States “is starting to talk to Cuba,” while predicting the Cuban regime will “fall” and that “Cuba would be free again” in a forthcoming agreement [10][10].

Feb 1, 2026 – President Sheinbaum pledges to send humanitarian food aid to Cuba within days, stressing a diplomatic solution to the island’s fuel crisis and rejecting any direct discussion of oil shipments with Trump [9][9].

Feb 5, 2026 – Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío tells CNN Havana is ready for “meaningful” dialogue but will not discuss regime‑change, as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly pushes for a change of government and threatens oil‑tariff measures against nations supplying Cuba [3][3].

Feb 18, 2026 – Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez meets Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow; Putin pledges continued Russian support for Cuba’s sovereignty, while Lavrov urges the US to abandon its planned sea blockade [8][8].

Feb 24, 2026 – Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand announces Ottawa is formulating an assistance plan for Cuba to avert a humanitarian disaster as the US oil blockade deepens, while the UN warns that unmet energy needs could trigger a full‑scale emergency [2][2].

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