The civil society group Healthcare Workers for Palestine (HW4P) condemned the United States government’s decision to halt oil supplies to Cuba at the end of January 2026, which had previously been sourced primarily from Venezuela.
HW4P stated, “This action constitutes a significant intensification of the illegal economic blockade imposed on Cuba since 1960 by the US. The consequences have been immediate and severe for the population of Cuba, precipitating a national energy crisis characterised by prolonged and recurrent electricity outages.”
According to HW4P, these disruptions have critically undermined essential services, most notably the health sector.
“Health systems are currently burdened with a backlog exceeding 96,000 pending surgical procedures, including approximately 11,000 involving children. Routine immunisation programmes have also been disrupted, leaving thousands of children without timely vaccinations,” detailed HW4P.
The organisation noted that the most vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, pregnant women, persons with disabilities, and children, have endured a great deal of harm.
“Although limited relief has been provided through a Russian oil shipment, this has proven wholly insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. It must be stated unequivocally that this situation is not a natural disaster, but, like Gaza, an induced humanitarian crisis resulting from a sustained and punitive blockade,” added HW4P.
The organisation has detailed the following demands:
1. The immediate termination of the United States blockade on Cuba, which constitutes a violation of international norms and a direct threat to public health.
2. The mobilisation of international solidarity and material support to assist Cuba in mitigating the current humanitarian crisis.
3. Targeted support for Cuba’s health sector, particularly through the provision of essential medicines and medical supplies, in coordination with Cuban representatives in South Africa.
Stay tuned to VOC’s PM Drive show today as we unpack the latest developments around this issue.
Photo: @PresidenciaCuba/X [Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russia Federation, Serguey Ryabkov, in solidarity with Cuba, shaking the hand of Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel]
