The unproven accusations of “state-sponsored terrorism” by Cuba, a country suffering the effects of longstanding sanctions and trade embargoes since the 1958 Cuban revolution, are just another example of the USA’s global imperialist and expansionist ambitions, and also an act of vindictiveness for Cuba’s nationalisation of American businesses and privately owned properties by Cuba in 1960, after the 1958 revolution which overthrew the American-backed dictator Batista.
While the USA has a total land mass of approximately 9.8 million sq km, Cuba’s is approximately 110,860 sq km, smaller than the US state of Florida (constituting only 1.11% of USA’s). US has now manufactured a non-existent threat from Cuba in yet another desperate attempt to boost its flagging support. President Trump had, on 27 February, even talked about a “friendly takeover” after so-called high level talks (In The Guardian’s report on 27 February 2027 it has been widely reported that US officials had met with Raúl Guillermo Rodríguez Castro, the grandson of 94-year-old Raúl Castro, on the sidelines of the Caribbean leaders’ summit, Caricom, as part of negotiations on opening up the island).
As a result of the embargoes and sanctions, Cuba has had to take drastic actions, which currently include shorter work weeks due to a shortage of electricity, which has also resulted in irrigation problems and a reduction in industry and manufacturing capacity (including medicines). Even basics such as stationery have had to be imported from China.
The UN Special Rapporteur for Cuba, Alena Douhan, observed that (UN’s Office of the Commissioner for Uuman Rights – OCHR on 21 November 2025) she heard reports that restrictions have progressively tightened since 2018, with further measures imposed on the already existing ones and a significant intensification in 2021 following Cuba’s re-designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
These and many other restrictions, compounded by de-risking and over-compliance by third parties, limit both Government and citizens’ ability for long-term planning and are suffocating the social fabric of Cuban society.
Despite the broad support consistently expressed for the UN General Assembly resolution “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba”, and its unequivocal request to end the blockade, the measures not only continue to remain in force, but their impacts are being intensified by the United States, the expert said.
“Shortages of essential machinery, spare parts, electricity, water, fuel, food and medicine, alongside the growing emigration of skilled workers – including medical staff, engineers and teachers – have severe consequences for the enjoyment of human rights, including the rights to life, food, health and development,” she said.
Douhan also noted that the unpredictability of United States’ unilateral coercive measures and the high fines imposed on those who circumvent them, create hesitancy among foreign companies. Even in the event of licenses and exemptions, investors remain wary of committing to long-term projects given the possibility of policy shifts in the United States.
“I urge all States to adhere to international law principles and norms and ensure that humanitarian concerns are fully respected, grounded in principles of mutual respect, solidarity, cooperation and multilateralism,” the Special Rapporteur said.
The Trump Administration’s public description of Cuba as a “failing state” is in reality a smokescreen for the effects of its longstanding vicious efforts to strangle the Cuban economy, an attempt to bring about regime change and install a brutal puppet dictator by blaming the Cuban government for its current problems, which in reality have been brought about by the USA’s inhumane actions. The people of Cuba will not yield and Parti Sosialis Malaysia, in the spirit of international progressive solidarity, expresses its full support for them in their continuing struggle to break off the shackles of USA-imposed sanctions and embargoes.
Philip Wong