Cuba's crisis deepens due to U.S. sanctions, lost oil, and shortages, fueling emigration and hardship.

Cuba faces deepening crisis amid severe shortages of electricity, food, and medicine, worsened by U.S. sanctions and the loss of Venezuelan oil, threatening basic survival for many. While the government retains control, its inability to deliver services has eroded legitimacy, fueling mass emigration and widespread hardship. The U.S. intensified pressure in January 2026 by labeling Cuba a threat and targeting its energy suppliers, drawing criticism for undermining regional peace efforts. Despite Cuban claims of economic warfare, internal weaknesses and external pressures continue to strain the state’s capacity, leaving citizens struggling to meet basic needs.