Washington intensifies pressure with measures that endanger the lives of thousands, even accusing it of genocide
Feb 22, 2026 — teleSUR
The Cuban energy crisis is deepening amid aggression imposed by the Trump administration against its people. Two months after the United States declared a national emergency over its policy toward Havana and announced sanctions against countries that supply fuel to the island, Moscow indicates that it is actively working to support a historic ally .
“We are helping, but I will not reveal the details,” Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated , announcing that Moscow is actively working to support Havana during its complex energy crisis. His statement coincides with an escalation of US sanctions aimed at economically strangling Cuba, a measure the Cuban government describes as an ongoing “ genocide .”
Valentina Matvienko , Speaker of the Russian Senate, expressed her concern days ago during her meeting with Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla , who also met with President Vladimir Putin: “The energy blockade represents genocide against the Cuban people.”
“You know Russia ‘s opinion of your country and the Cuban people. Not only is Cuba our key strategic partner and a long-standing friend, but it is also a brother country and a brotherly people to us,” Matvienko stated, adding that many people express their support for Havana against U.S. actions.
The blockade is being experienced on the street
For more than six decades, the US-imposed blockade has hampered the country’s economic and social development. In recent years, its intensification—particularly during the Trump administration—has further tightened the noose around strategic sectors such as energy.
From a corner of the market, Miriam shows an almost empty bag while talking about the lack of control: “Two weeks ago, oil was 920 pesos, then it disappeared and now it has reappeared at 1,200. Eggs have gone up again…”
“Bread has more or less stayed the same, but chicken has gone up to 450 pesos a pound in some places, spaghetti to 500, tomato puree to 500, and toothpaste to 400,” lists Ernesto as he leaves a micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) , reflecting a phenomenon documented by Cubadebate .
” SMEs limit the percentage of purchases made by transfer, while agricultural market vendors claim they cannot operate without cash because the bank does not allow them to withdraw money to pay producers.”
The Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal Miranda , denounced that more than 32,800 pregnant women face additional risks due to the fuel shortage, which paralyzes the collection of toxic waste and favors diseases such as dengue and chikungunya.
“What human rights is the US government talking about when its actions put lives at risk?” wrote Portal Miranda in X, where he announced postponements of surgeries affecting thousands of patients, many of them children.
“The inevitable postponement of surgical procedures… has a direct impact on thousands of patients , many of them children,” he stated. Primary care remains the cornerstone of the healthcare system, but he warned that “the lack of medicines and fuel seriously affects cancer patients, diabetics, and minors.”
But they also manifest themselves in the collective response : in spontaneous solidarity, in community solutions. “Despite the pain, the Cuban people have not allowed the blockade to take away their dignity,” the official statement affirms.
While Moscow closely observes the evolution of the conflict, with Novak confirming Russian efforts to support a historical ally, the reality in Cuba remains dramatic: each passing day further strengthens the position of those who see the US blockade as a direct threat to the survival of the Cuban people.
Author: teleSUR: DRB
Source: Agencies – Cubadebate
