The Slow Choke of 'Benevolent' Policy
THE CLAIM: Air Canada, a major foreign carrier, is suspending flights to Cuba due to a lack of aviation fuel. The implication, often left unspoken in mainstream reports, is that Cuba's socialist economic model is inherently inefficient, creating these shortages. THE EVIDENCE: The public record, however, paints a far more deliberate picture. The United States maintains an economic embargo against
Cuba , a relic of the Cold War first imposed in 1960. While its stated purpose was to promote democracy, its de facto effect has been to systematically deprive Cuba of access to markets, capital, and, critically, resources. A 2019 report by the UN General Assembly estimated the embargo's cumulative cost to the Cuban economy at over $130 billion (UNCTAD, 2019 report). This isn't just about direct
trade; it's about chilling effects, with foreign companies frequently opting out of Cuban ventures to avoid myriad complications and potential penalties from Washington. THE CONTRADICTIONS: Curiously, the same mainstream outlets that report on Cuba's 'fuel shortages' rarely connect these dots to the comprehensive US sanctions. It's not a general lack of oil in the world; it's Cuba's limited access
to international financing, shipping, and, yes, fuel providers willing to risk the wrath of OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control). One might wonder why a 'humanitarian' concern like fuel for civilian flights doesn't trigger an immediate reassessment of policies designed to inflict economic pain. THE NETWORK: The beneficiaries of this protracted squeeze are not hard to identify. Certain exiled