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'People's lives are not rhetorical' - UN warns of acute humanitarian crisis with Cuba in ‘systemic energy shock’ amid blockade

'People's lives are not rhetorical' - UN warns of acute humanitarian crisis with Cuba in ‘systemic energy shock’ amid blockade

"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."

'People's lives are not rhetorical' - UN warns of acute humanitarian crisis with Cuba in ‘systemic energy shock’ amid blockade

'People's lives are not rhetorical' - UN warns of acute humanitarian crisis with Cuba in ‘systemic energy shock’ amid blockade

"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."

'Terror boat from Florida' - Cuba says US-registered vessel carried 'assault rifles, Molotovs' as Havana names 10 'infiltrators,' claims 4 dead

'Terror boat from Florida' - Cuba says US-registered vessel carried 'assault rifles, Molotovs' as Havana names 10 'infiltrators,' claims 4 dead

"Cuba's vice foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, said Havana has launched "an investigative process aimed at clarifying the facts" after what it called a 'terror' incursion by 10 people arriving on a Florida-registered speedboat - an incident in which four of the group were killed, according to Cuban authorities. Fernandez said Cuban officials have been in contact with US counterparts - including the State Department and Coast Guard - since identifying the vessel as coming from US territory, and claimed the boat carried weapons and equipment, including 'assault rifles' and 'Molotov cocktails.' "As previously reported, among the items seized on the vessel were weapons, including assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, Molotov cocktails, multiple assault equipment, including night vision devices, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibres, combat food supplies, communication devices and a significant number of monograms of counterrevolutionary organisations of a terrorist nature. This information remains preliminary," said the senior official. On Wednesday, the US said it was gathering information to find whether the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. The vice minister also claimed that the event "is not an isolated act," but rather a sign of the aggressions Cuba has suffered for decades. "Cuba has been the victim of aggressions and countless terrorist acts for more than 60 years, mostly organised, financed and carried out from United States territory," Fernandez declared. He also added that the country's authorities are "willing to engage with the US government regarding this event." "Among other requests, we will seek information about those involved, the means used and other details from US authorities through the mechanisms in force between the two countries," said the senior official. On Wednesday, the Cuban Interior Ministry reported that a boat flying a US flag had entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire, prompting border guards to respond. It added that the crew consisted of Cubans living in the United States who intended to enter Cuba for 'terrorist' purposes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his country was investigating the 'highly unusual' incident."

'Terror boat from Florida' - Cuba says US-registered vessel carried 'assault rifles, Molotovs' as Havana names 10 'infiltrators,' claims 4 dead

'Terror boat from Florida' - Cuba says US-registered vessel carried 'assault rifles, Molotovs' as Havana names 10 'infiltrators,' claims 4 dead

"Cuba's vice foreign minister, Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, said Havana has launched "an investigative process aimed at clarifying the facts" after what it called a 'terror' incursion by 10 people arriving on a Florida-registered speedboat - an incident in which four of the group were killed, according to Cuban authorities. Fernandez said Cuban officials have been in contact with US counterparts - including the State Department and Coast Guard - since identifying the vessel as coming from US territory, and claimed the boat carried weapons and equipment, including 'assault rifles' and 'Molotov cocktails.' "As previously reported, among the items seized on the vessel were weapons, including assault rifles, sniper rifles, pistols, Molotov cocktails, multiple assault equipment, including night vision devices, bulletproof vests, assault bayonets, camouflage clothing, ammunition of various calibres, combat food supplies, communication devices and a significant number of monograms of counterrevolutionary organisations of a terrorist nature. This information remains preliminary," said the senior official. On Wednesday, the US said it was gathering information to find whether the victims were American citizens or permanent residents. The vice minister also claimed that the event "is not an isolated act," but rather a sign of the aggressions Cuba has suffered for decades. "Cuba has been the victim of aggressions and countless terrorist acts for more than 60 years, mostly organised, financed and carried out from United States territory," Fernandez declared. He also added that the country's authorities are "willing to engage with the US government regarding this event." "Among other requests, we will seek information about those involved, the means used and other details from US authorities through the mechanisms in force between the two countries," said the senior official. On Wednesday, the Cuban Interior Ministry reported that a boat flying a US flag had entered Cuban territorial waters and opened fire, prompting border guards to respond. It added that the crew consisted of Cubans living in the United States who intended to enter Cuba for 'terrorist' purposes. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said his country was investigating the 'highly unusual' incident."

'Break the siege and Washington will stand alone' - Brazil activists back Petrobas oil for Cuba amid energy crisis, blame US for 'imperialist attack' on island

'Break the siege and Washington will stand alone' - Brazil activists back Petrobas oil for Cuba amid energy crisis, blame US for 'imperialist attack' on island

"Union leaders and oil workers rallied outside Petrobras headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, urging the state firm and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to send crude and fuel products to Cuba to ease the island's energy crunch. Footage shows protesters gathering in front of the company's headquarters, delivering speeches and holding placards reading: 'Oil for Cuba, now - down with the imperialist blockade,' 'Lula, send oil to Cuba,' and 'Hands off Latin America.' "Oil has to serve the good of humanity. There is no way for Brazil to watch what is happening with the energy blockade on Cuba and not contribute to remedying this situation," said Sibele Vieira, member of the United Federation of Oil and Gas Workers of Brazil (FUP). Federal Congressman of the Socialism and Liberty Party, Glauber Braga, stated that "Cuba is experiencing a humanitarian siege with an obvious imperialist attack," and added that "defending Cuba is a humanitarian issue." "If one country breaks the siege, the second breaks it, the third breaks it, the fourth breaks it; the isolated position does not have to be that of those who break the siege. The isolated position has to be that of the United States, faced with the imposition of a policy that is a frontal attack on the life of the Cuban people," he said. This follows the United States' decision to impose tariffs on nations trading oil with the island. The measures have intensified Cuba's energy crisis, affecting healthcare services, universities and public transport, as the island faces ongoing fuel shortages and recurring blackouts. The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it will again allow the sale of Venezuelan-origin oil to Cuba through specific licenses, as long as the transactions "support the people and do not involve the Cuban Government.""

'Break the siege and Washington will stand alone' - Brazil activists back Petrobas oil for Cuba amid energy crisis, blame US for 'imperialist attack' on island

'Break the siege and Washington will stand alone' - Brazil activists back Petrobas oil for Cuba amid energy crisis, blame US for 'imperialist attack' on island

"Union leaders and oil workers rallied outside Petrobras headquarters in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, urging the state firm and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to send crude and fuel products to Cuba to ease the island's energy crunch. Footage shows protesters gathering in front of the company's headquarters, delivering speeches and holding placards reading: 'Oil for Cuba, now - down with the imperialist blockade,' 'Lula, send oil to Cuba,' and 'Hands off Latin America.' "Oil has to serve the good of humanity. There is no way for Brazil to watch what is happening with the energy blockade on Cuba and not contribute to remedying this situation," said Sibele Vieira, member of the United Federation of Oil and Gas Workers of Brazil (FUP). Federal Congressman of the Socialism and Liberty Party, Glauber Braga, stated that "Cuba is experiencing a humanitarian siege with an obvious imperialist attack," and added that "defending Cuba is a humanitarian issue." "If one country breaks the siege, the second breaks it, the third breaks it, the fourth breaks it; the isolated position does not have to be that of those who break the siege. The isolated position has to be that of the United States, faced with the imposition of a policy that is a frontal attack on the life of the Cuban people," he said. This follows the United States' decision to impose tariffs on nations trading oil with the island. The measures have intensified Cuba's energy crisis, affecting healthcare services, universities and public transport, as the island faces ongoing fuel shortages and recurring blackouts. The US Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that it will again allow the sale of Venezuelan-origin oil to Cuba through specific licenses, as long as the transactions "support the people and do not involve the Cuban Government.""