February 28, 2026 — Belly of the Beast
When Donald Trump threatened last month tariffs on any country that sends oil to Cuba, he justified the move by claiming the island is an “extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security, even declaring a “national emergency.”
The administration relies on three core claims to cast Cuba as a threat: The Cuban government egregiously violates human rights, hosts Russian spy bases and shelters “transnational terrorist groups.”
“Are you kidding?” says Belly of the Beast’s Liz Oliva Fernández, who debunks these fabrications in our latest explainer video.
The U.S. recently escalated its pressure on Cuba when President Trump threatened tariffs on any country that provides the island with oil. He justified the blockade by declaring a “national emergency” over Cuba. But the facts tell a different story. In this explainer, we break down Washington’s claims. The narrative that portrays Cuba as a threat leans on three main ideas: alleged Russian spy bases on the island, claims that Havana shelters groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, and accusations that Cuba exports an authoritarian communist model across Latin America. The arguments being put forth are misleading. Where does that leave the U.S.’ actions? Are they legal?
