Canada is preparing an assistance plan for Cuba as the island confronts fuel shortages triggered by tightened US restrictions on oil supplies
Canada is drawing up a plan to assist Cuba as the island struggles with fuel shortages linked to efforts by the United States to restrict oil shipments. The situation has led to rising food and transport costs, alongside prolonged blackouts, after Donald Trump’s administration moved to block all oil bound for Cuba, including supplies from ally Venezuela.
Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Monday that Ottawa is preparing a response.
“We are preparing a plan to assist. We are not prepared at this point to provide any further details of an announcement,” she said, without outlining what form the assistance may take.
Canada noted last week that it was monitoring the situation closely and was concerned about “the increasing risk of a humanitarian crisis” if Cuba’s energy needs remain unmet. The United Nations has issued similar warnings.
Garbage began accumulating across the Cuban capital, Havana, amid fuel shortages that disrupt rubbish collection, in what residents describe as one of the clearest signs of mounting economic strain in Cuba. State-run outlet Cubadebate reported that only 44 of the capital’s 106 rubbish trucks remain operational due to a lack of fuel, significantly slowing waste removal.
Fuel shortages deepen political tensions
The US pressure campaign comes as Washington seeks to further isolate the Communist-run island. Emboldened by the US military’s seizure of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a deadly raid in January, Trump has spoken repeatedly about taking action against Cuba and increasing pressure on its leadership.
He has claimed that “Cuba will be failing pretty soon,” adding that Venezuela, once Havana’s main supplier, has recently provided neither oil nor financial support.
Strained US-Canada ties add to the backdrop
Tensions between Washington and Ottawa under Trump have been evident on several fronts, including trade tariffs, rhetoric surrounding Greenland, Canada’s efforts to rebuild relations with Beijing, and comments by Prime Minister Mark Carney that “middle powers” should act together to avoid being victimised by US hegemony.
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