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The United States has extended its longstanding trade embargo on Cuba for another year, drawing condemnation from the island’s communist government
The embargo was first imposed in 1962 by then-US President John F. Kennedy under the “Trading with the Enemy Act,” a law that gives Washington authority to restrict commercial dealings with countries it regards as hostile.
Since 1978, successive US presidents have renewed the measure every year, making Tuesday’s extension largely expected.
It comes, however, as Cuba faces one of the most severe economic crises in its recent history.
Residents across the island are grappling with frequent power cuts and persistent shortages of food and fuel.
The Cuban government has blamed the worsening conditions partly on a US energy blockade introduced in January, alongside other sanctions and restrictions.
Washington, meanwhile, has attributed the island’s economic difficulties to Cuban mismanagement.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the latest extension “in the strongest terms” in a post on X.
Rodriguez described the embargo as “a genocidal policy” and accused the United States of being “intent on suffocating an entire nation.”
“This extension comes at the cruellest moment of the US offensive against Cuba in recent years,” he said.
Since returning to the White House for a second term, US President Donald Trump has introduced additional measures targeting Havana and has publicly floated the idea of taking control of the island.
Among the measures are restrictions aimed at preventing fuel from reaching Cuba and sanctions against entities linked to the Cuban state.
For some Cubans, the continuing standoff has compounded an already difficult economic reality.
Antonio Rodriguez, a 40-year-old taxi driver in Havana, told AFP that the United States should trade with Cuba “to see whether it’s the government or the embargo” responsible for the crisis.
“We are struggling to survive; many times the money just isn’t enough. But we have to keep going,” said Juan Licea, a 68-year-old retiree.
