The United Nations (UN) human rights experts have condemned the United States (US embargo on Cuba. The executive order declares a purported national emergency and authorises trade tariffs on imports of oil from third countries to Cuba.
UN Experts condemn US embargo on Cuba
According to a statement by UN experts, the order seeks to block fuel supplies to the island. It also penalizes foreign nations that engage in lawful petroleum trade with Havana.
This according to experts, marks a dangerous escalation in Washington’s decades-long coercion of its Caribbean neighbour.
They described the measure as an extreme form of unilateral economic coercion with extraterritorial effects. The experts also stated the US seeks to compel Cuba and other sovereign states to alter their lawful commercial relations under threat of punitive trade measures.
“The U.S. executive order imposing a fuel blockade on Cuba is a serious violation of international law and a grave threat to a democratic and equitable international order,” the experts said.
The experts also dismissed the US characterisation of Cuba as an unusual and extraordinary threat to its national security. They said the designation appears designed to justify the use of extraordinary and coercive powers.
The experts stressed that no right exists under international law to impose economic penalties on third states for engaging in lawful trade with another sovereign nation. The order directly violates the principles of sovereign equality, non-intervention and self-determination.
Humanitarian Crisis Looms as Fuel Shortages Worsen
According to the experts, a democratic international framework cannot justify any country unilaterally. It also cannot justify claiming the right to impose its will on the internal and economic decisions of others.
Cuba already suffers energy shortages due to existing U.S. sanctions, with blackouts lasting up to 20 hours in many areas. These outages disrupt refrigeration for food and medication and contribute to public health crises.
Meanwhile, fuel is indispensable for electricity generation, water and sanitation systems, hospitals, and public transportation.
“Interfering with fuel imports could lead to a severe humanitarian crisis with knock-on effects for essential services,” the experts warned.
They noted that measures likely to result in shortages of essential goods may amount to collective punishment of civilians. This will also raises serious concerns under international human rights law.
The experts called on the U.S. government to immediately rescind the executive order. They noted the order compounds the effects of Washington’s existing unlawful designation of Cuba as a “State Sponsor of Terrorism”.
According to the Cuba Solidarity Campaign, the Trump administration has launched a dangerous new escalation against Cuba. He has cut off oil supplies and deepened shortages of fuel, food, and medicines.
Meanwhile, Progressive International has announced the Nuestra América Flotilla. The organization said it is sailing to Cuba, bringing critical humanitarian aid for its people.
In a related development, a Canadian politician and activist, Avi Lewis, has accused US President Donald Trump of fuelling a humanitarian crisis in Cuba through an oil blockade.
Similarly, Mexico has sent two naval vessels carrying 814 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba, despite growing pressure from the United States.