Cuban ambassador to Brazil calls Trump’s oil sanctions “genocidal”
The Cuban ambassador to Brazil, Adolfo Curbelo Castellanos, describes the US economic and energy blockade against the Caribbean island as a “genocidal policy” that seeks to deprive the people of their means of subsistence. He welcomed Agência Brasil at the country’s embassy in Brasília to discuss the tightening of the economic blockade on the island. The embargo has been in place for 66 years, with the first measures adopted shortly after the Cuban Revolution in 1959.
“Without energy, everything is compromised. What they did was condemn the Cuban people to extermination. A country like Cuba, which needs oil to generate electricity, simply cannot import it in the exercise of its sovereign right. The sovereignty of the rest of the world has also been violated by the US, not just Cuba’s,” Curbelo argued.
On January 29, US President Donald Trump issued a new Executive Order classifying Cuba as an “unusual and extraordinary threat” to Washington’s security, citing Havana’s alignment with Russia, China, and Iran as justification.
The decision imposes trade tariffs on products from any country that supplies or sells oil to Cuba. The threat has exacerbated the country’s energy crisis, which, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), depended on oil derivatives for about 80 percent of its energy consumption until 2023.
On February 5, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced Trump’s move as yet another attempt to defeat the Cuban Revolution, which would install the first communist-inspired government in Latin America, challenging Washington’s policy toward the continent.
During the interview, Ambassador Adolfo Curbelo pointed out that Cuba is experiencing a situation of unconventional warfare, which could explain the current difficulties faced by the population. For the diplomat, the new measure has “devastating” effects on the island, which has adopted extreme austerity measures and has invested in expanding solar energy and international solidarity.
Below is the full transcript of the interview:
Agência Brasil: How does the new US measure against oil trade harm the Cuban economy and society?
Adolfo Curbelo: It is a combination of factors. We have been under a 67-year blockade, reinforced during Trump’s first term, with an additional 243 measures that remained in force throughout Biden’s presidency.
We have lived under a strict blockade that for many years included unconventional warfare measures to target, for instance, ships carrying oil to Cuba, or insurance companies for ships. Many vessels were boarded to prevent oil from reaching Cuba.
On January 29, the US president issued a decree stating that any country selling oil to Cuba would be subject to sanctions. They had already ensured that no oil from Venezuela would reach Cuba. All of these measures seek precisely to subjugate Cuba. We believe that this measure constitutes outright genocide.
Agência Brasil: Why is it genocide?
Adolfo Curbelo: Because it deprives the Cuban people of their means of subsistence. A country’s economy depends on energy. With energy, the country moves, cares for the sick in hospitals, produces food, and transports the population. Without energy, everything is compromised. What they did was condemn the Cuban people to extermination. I believe these things need to be called by their name.
A country like Cuba, which needs oil to generate electricity, simply cannot import it in the exercise of its sovereign right. Now, the sovereignty of the rest of the world has also been violated by the US, not just Cuba’s. The effects of this on the economy and the country are devastating. That, however, does not mean we’re defenseless.
Agência Brasil: How does Cuba intend to deal with this situation?
Adolfo Curbelo: The situation is tense. The country has had to take extreme austerity measures to prioritize the protection of what it needs most. First and foremost, the population. Even though there are long blackouts across the country, work organization measures have been adopted so that people can work from home, prioritizing those who most need to go out to work.
Electrification work has been carried out in areas that require special protection – hospitals, schools, and even homes with children who, due to their health conditions, need electricity. These homes are being prioritized.
We are working to increase oil extraction and refining in the country. We have been working to increase the installation of solar panels in the country to generate electricity from photovoltaic energy. Last year, we managed to install solar panels to generate 1,000 megawatts. This installation has allowed us to now have almost 40 percent of the country’s daytime electricity generation coming from solar panels.
This investment has allowed us to raise the percentage of total national electricity generation from photovoltaic solar energy from three to 10 percent. The banking system, hospitals, schools, and food production centers are being protected with solar panels.
That does not mean that we are doing well, because there is still an acute deficit in electricity generation, which is linked to the lack of fuel. We still do not have the storage capacity needed to distribute this electricity. Most of the generation infrastructure installed in the country consists of thermal power plants, and most of them have obsolete technology that we cannot modernize because it is too expensive.
Agência Brasil: Some airlines have suspended flights to Cuba due to a lack of fuel to fly back, like airlines from Canada. What is the effect of this blockade on tourism?
Adolfo Curbelo: Tourism is one of the country’s main activities for earning foreign currency. With the foreign currency earned, we even import oil. When there is no oil, there is no fuel to supply the planes that transport tourists.
The US is also trying to interrupt the flow of tourists to our country and prevent money from coming in. That is why I spoke of genocide – because the objective of this measure is precisely to deprive the Cuban people of their means of subsistence. The blockade is part of a policy of genocide.
Agência Brasil: What is your take on the international community’s response to this new measure by the Trump administration?
Adolfo Curbelo: There is widespread rejection of US policy around the world. No one accepts the tariffs, no one accepts the aggression, no one accepts any of this – this policy of blackmail.
I also believe that solidarity will increase alongside the resistance of the Cuban people. International condemnation has been significant. The Non-Aligned Movement, which encompasses most of the world’s countries – the so-called Global South –issued a statement rejecting the US president’s order. Important countries, such as Russia and China, issued strong statements of rejection and solidarity with Cuba, affirming that they will provide assistance to the country. China donated 70 thousand tons of rice to Cuba.
Mexico has maintained a firm position, defending, so to speak, its right to help Cuba. Two days ago, several Mexican Navy ships sent more than 900 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba. Special envoys from Cuba visited China and Vietnam, and Cuba received important visits from Russia.
Agência Brasil: But aren’t these practical measures of international aid still too modest?
Adolfo Curbelo: We believe that international mobilization is crucial. Denunciation and political dialogue are important, but we also believe that practical solidarity is vital – the possibility of helping and supporting the Cuban people to resist.
José Martí, the apostle of Cuban independence, said that taking action is the best way to speak. We can all play a role. We must not limit ourselves to telling a story – but we must act to change that story to defeat US policy.
This is not only about defending Cuba, but about defending Latin America, all of us. The attack against Cuba is not only against Cuba. The attack against Cuba and Venezuela is an attack against all of us. We have declared Latin America a zone of peace. And they want to turn it into a space of war, of conflict, of the imposition of the law of the strongest. We will resist and we will win.
Agência Brasil: How far does the Cuban government believe the US blockade policy will go?
Adolfo Curbelo: Cuba’s decision to defend its sovereignty and independence, even with the use of arms if necessary, is unwavering. We are a peaceful nation. We have always declared our willingness to maintain a respectful relationship with the US, including with the current US government, and our willingness to engage in dialogue on an equal footing.
However, conditions cannot be imposed, there can be no interference in Cuba’s internal affairs, nor any attempt to subjugate or subordinate our country to US interests. Cuba’s independence and sovereignty are non-negotiable.
