The Endless Blockade: Cuba's Energy Crisis and the Invisible Hand
THE CLAIM: Cuba's Internal Inefficiency The original article, like many others, reports Cuba's declared emergency measures—rationing fuel, increasing home office work, reducing public transportation, and using animal-drawn vehicles—as responses to an 'energy crisis.' The underlying implication, often unstated but frequently inferred, is that Cuba's socialist economic model is inherently
inefficient and unable to provide for its citizens. Officials like Economy Minister Alejandro Gil are quoted discussing supply chain problems and the need for efficiency, reinforcing this narrative. THE EVIDENCE: A Systemic Foreign Policy Chokehold What the mainstream narrative consistently downplays or outright ignores is the comprehensive, extraterritorial U.S. embargo against Cuba. This isn't
just about direct trade; it's about denying Cuba access to international finance, technology, and, crucially, energy markets. Consider: Banking Blockade: Since 2020, the Trump administration placed Cuba back on the State Sponsors of Terrorism (SSOT) list, classifying it as a high-risk jurisdiction. This move, maintained by the current administration, has led to an exponential increase in banks
refusing to process Cuban transactions, fearing massive U.S. penalties. In 2021 alone, 50 banking and financial institutions shut down operations for Cuba, impacting everything from medical supply purchases to oil deals (Cubadebate, 2022). Shipping Sanctions: The Helmes-Burton Act of 1996 (Title III, Section 202, subsections 1-6) specifically targets third-country entities doing business with