The Enduring Power of Manufactured Misery
Same playbook, different decade: Orchestrating an island's darkness FIRST INSTANCE: The Embargo's Genesis (1960-1962) The systematic effort to cripple Cuba's economy, including its energy infrastructure, isn't a new phenomenon. In March 1960, a State Department memo suggested: "The majority of Cubans support Castro… there is no effective political opposition. The only foreseeable means of
alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship… Every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba." This was a clear strategy, formalized by President Kennedy in 1962, to impose a full economic embargo. The goal? Make the Cuban people 'powerless' not just politically, but literally.
REPETITIONS: Tightening the Screws (1992, 1996, 2020) 1992 - The Cuban Democracy Act (Torricelli Act): Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba lost its primary trading partner. Instead of easing restrictions, the US doubled down, prohibiting foreign subsidiaries of US companies from trading with Cuba and blocking ships that docked in Cuba from then entering US ports for six months. This
directly impacted Cuba's ability to import oil and spare parts for its power plants. Suddenly, 'outages' became more frequent. 1996 - Helms-Burton Act: This legislation codified the embargo into law, making it exceptionally difficult for future presidents to lift it and allowing US citizens to sue foreign companies 'trafficking' in property expropriated by the Cuban government. The intent was