Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Cuba says US sanctions have caused nearly $5.6B in losses

Cuba says the island has lost nearly $5.6 billion in one year as a result of economic sanctions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump

Via AP news wire
Thursday 22 October 2020 16:54 EDT
Cuba US Embargo
Cuba US Embargo (Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Cuba said Thursday that the island has lost nearly $5.6 billion in one year as a result of economic sanctions imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez decried what he said was a growing number of sanctions suffocating the island, a topic that is on the agenda for next year’s U.N. General Assembly session.

The blockade "is an increasingly cruel attempt to deprive our people of basic goods for their survival,” Rodríguez said. He said the political hostility has reached “feverish levels.”

The $5.6 billion loss occurred between April 2019 and March 2020, compared with $4.3 billion the previous year.

The sanctions, coupled with a sluggish economy, the pandemic and increasingly active hurricane seasons, has led to a growing shortage of food and occasional fuel scarcity on the island.

“It’s cynical to express supposed concern that this policy affects only some Cubans, but it’s even more cynical to try and justify it,” Rodríguez said.

Trump recently added to the sanctions by barring U.S. travelers to Cuba from bringing back Cuban cigars and rum or staying in government-owned hotels here as he courts the Cuban-American vote in Florida ahead of the election.

Trump said the sanctions would remain in place until Cuba releases all political prisoners, legalizes political parties, holds free elections and respects the rights to free assembly and expression.

Cuba has rejected any interference into the country's affairs.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in