US Energy Blockade Nears Limit; Cuba Appeals for Emergency International Aid

Central News Agency, UN Headquarters, New York, May 26: Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla appealed to the UN Security Council today for emergency aid to prevent a humanitarian disaster in the country, which is suffering from a US energy blockade. Rodriguez stated, "I call on the international community to mobilize to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe that could be imposed through weapons or fuel blockades... Now is the time for solidarity with Cuba." According to AFP, US President Donald Trump has publicly considered taking over communist Cuba, suggesting that after the overthrow of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela in January, Havana could be the next target for military action and major change. Due in part to the trade embargo imposed by the US since Fidel Castro took power in 1959, Cubans have been mired in economic hardship for years, with shortages of food, medicine, and other basic supplies, and nationwide power outages are common. After Maduro was ousted, Trump cut off oil supplies from Havana's ally, Venezuela, worsening the situation. The Trump administration intensified pressure last week by indicting former Cuban President Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two small US planes, fueling fears that the US is looking for an excuse to overthrow the Havana government. The day after the indictment was announced, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Cuba that the US is closely watching and committed to changing the communist system. Rodriguez denounced the indictment as politically motivated and denied US allegations that Cuba poses a threat to US national security. "This is an idea that defies logic and common sense. Let Cuba live in peace," he told the Security Council.