BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
The United States has imposed new sanctions on Cuba’s state-owned oil and gas company, Unión Cuba-Petróleo (Cupet), escalating pressure on the island’s government and prompting concerns from analysts and economists that the move could worsen Cuba’s already severe economic and energy crisis while placing additional burdens on ordinary citizens.
The sanctions were announced Thursday by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who accused Cuba’s leadership of mismanaging the country’s energy resources and using them to maintain political control. According to Rubio, assets connected to Cupet were originally taken from American owners decades ago and remain subject to U.S. claims.
In a statement accompanying the announcement, Rubio argued that while Cubans continue to endure chronic fuel shortages and recurring nationwide blackouts, the country’s leadership has failed to invest adequately in critical infrastructure. He alleged that government officials have redirected energy resources for their own benefit and have used access to fuel and electricity as a means of maintaining authority.
Rubio further accused Cuban authorities of diverting scarce fuel supplies away from the general population and toward military, intelligence, and security institutions. He claimed that portions of Cuba’s energy imports have been resold through secondary markets while ordinary citizens continue to experience shortages. The U.S. government did not publicly provide evidence to support those allegations.
The sanctions drew an immediate and forceful response from Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba’s foreign minister, who condemned the measure and accused Washington of intensifying what Havana describes as a longstanding economic blockade.
Rodríguez said the new restrictions represent another attempt by the United States to tighten economic and energy pressure on the island. He argued that the sanctions are driven by political motives and are designed to further weaken Cuba’s economy at a time when the country is already facing significant hardship.
The latest measures come as Cuba struggles with one of the most difficult periods in its modern history. The island has endured years of economic contraction, worsening shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and repeated power outages that have disrupted daily life across the country. Many regions have experienced extended blackouts as aging infrastructure and limited fuel supplies continue to strain the national power grid.
Cuban officials have long maintained that U.S. sanctions are responsible for much of the country’s economic suffering. Havana argues that restrictions imposed by Washington limit access to international financing, trade opportunities, and essential imports, making it increasingly difficult to address domestic shortages and modernize infrastructure.
Energy experts and Cuba analysts expressed concern that the sanctions on Cupet could further complicate efforts to secure fuel supplies.
William LeoGrande, a longtime scholar of U.S.-Cuba relations at American University, suggested the measure appears aimed at discouraging or obstructing significant oil shipments destined for Cuba. He argued that the policy risks deepening economic distress on the island.
LeoGrande said the move reflects a broader strategy focused on increasing economic pressure against Cuba’s government. However, he warned that such policies often have humanitarian consequences that disproportionately affect ordinary citizens rather than political leaders.
According to LeoGrande, the sanctions may also undermine practical efforts to improve fuel distribution within Cuba. While some observers have suggested that encouraging greater private-sector participation could reduce government control over energy supplies, he noted that Cuba’s small private businesses generally lack the infrastructure necessary to import, store, and distribute petroleum products on a national scale.
Most private enterprises, he explained, do not possess facilities capable of receiving oil tankers, unloading fuel, or managing large-scale transportation networks. As a result, Cupet remains central to the country’s energy system.
Another critic of the sanctions, Cuban economist Ricardo Herrero, questioned how private importers would be able to handle fuel distribution without access to Cupet’s infrastructure. Herrero, who heads the Washington-based Cuba Study Group, argued that the policy could undermine humanitarian objectives previously emphasized by U.S. officials.
He expressed concern that restricting the state company’s operations could create additional obstacles for businesses and organizations attempting to import diesel and other essential fuels needed for transportation, agriculture, and electricity generation.
Questions also remain about the practical impact of the sanctions. Analysts note that Cupet is unlikely to possess substantial assets within the United States, meaning the direct financial effect may be limited. Nevertheless, the sanctions could discourage foreign companies, shipping firms, and financial institutions from engaging in transactions involving Cuba’s energy sector for fear of violating U.S. regulations.
The announcement follows another round of U.S. sanctions unveiled last week targeting Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, along with several government officials and institutions.
Under the new restrictions, any Cupet property or interests located in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons are blocked. American individuals and businesses are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving those assets.
Defending the decision, Rubio said the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump remains committed to promoting greater political and economic freedom in Cuba. He stated that Washington would continue targeting what it views as the Cuban government’s ability to use energy resources to sustain its rule.
The sanctions arrive during a period of mounting uncertainty over Cuba’s energy future. Fuel shortages have become increasingly severe in recent months, and nationwide electricity outages have repeatedly disrupted homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals.
Conditions have deteriorated further since the United States warned earlier this year that countries supplying oil to Cuba could face economic consequences. The threat has reportedly complicated efforts by Havana to secure reliable fuel imports from international partners.
Despite the growing tensions, officials from both countries have acknowledged that discussions have taken place between Washington and Havana, although neither side has disclosed the full scope or objectives of those contacts.
As economic pressures continue to build, analysts warn that additional restrictions on Cuba’s energy sector could have consequences extending beyond the island itself. Some experts fear that worsening living conditions may contribute to increased migration as more Cubans seek opportunities abroad.
For now, the sanctions mark another significant escalation in the long-running dispute between Washington and Havana, further deepening a confrontation that has shaped relations between the two countries for more than six decades while leaving the future of Cuba’s struggling economy increasingly uncertain.
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