"The UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Francisco Pichon, issued a warning on Thursday about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation on the island as a result of fuel shortages. During a press briefing at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the official explained that a month on from Washington restricting the energy supply to Cuba, the impact can no longer be considered temporary. He added that the fuel shortage is causing significant damage, since fuel on the island enables hospitals and water pumping facilities to operate, as well as food distribution and the transportation of medicines. "It's almost one month after the US executive order that has created a fuel blockade for Cuba. The blockade still persists, and his humanitarian consequences are really deepening," he explained. Pichon explained that Cuba continues to be designated by Washington as an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to US national security, but the impact of the action on ordinary Cubans is akin to collective punishment. "The risks to people's lives are not rhetorical. And those who suffer first and suffer most are the ordinary people. In Cuba, for example, we have 5 million people living with chronic illnesses which have treatments that are at risk due to the current energy situation," Pichon said. According to the diplomat, Cuba produces some heavy oil for power generation, but the supply is limited, according to UN data. "Cuba depends 90% on fossil fuel for energy generation and that there is a significant deficit of more than 30% of the minimum demand that is required," he explained. Regarding possible solutions, the Pichon confirmed that Mexico has offered to send oil to Cuba as part of humanitarian assistance, and that there are other countries willing to contribute, although this requires negotiating a humanitarian exemption with the United States."