Credit: AFP YURI CORTEZ
ITUC urges international action on Cuba
The International Trade Union Confederation is calling for international action to address the multiplying humanitarian risks in Cuba following intensified US sanctions, including a fuel blockade.
At a time when working people in Cuba are already facing severe shortages of energy, food, medicines and essential goods, further sanctions and restrictions risk triggering another humanitarian crisis. Cuba relies on oil for 90 per cent of its energy, with reserves at critically low levels.
According to UN OCHA and the WHO, the energy blockade is creating a serious humanitarian crisis, particularly in the health system:
- Blackouts lasting up to 20 hours have forced hospitals to suspend non-emergency operations.
- Fuel shortages are limiting ambulance services and delaying access to critical care.
- More than 100,000 patients, including 11,000 children, are waiting for surgeries delayed by power outages and supply shortages.
- Neonatal mortality has doubled due to the lack of a stable electricity supply to power lifesaving equipment.
- Care cannot be guaranteed for nearly five million people with chronic diseases, including 16,000 radiotherapy and 12,000 chemotherapy patients.
On 1 May, the Trump administration expanded extraterritorial sanctions targeting individuals, companies, and organizations engaged in trade or cooperation with Cuba, in particular in the energy, mining, defense, and security sectors.
These actions intensify more than six decades of economic sanctions.
“Civilians and workers should never pay the price for geopolitical conflicts and unilateral political decisions. The tightening of sanctions against Cuba has a direct and negative impact on working people, undermining access to basic goods and services, and increasing social suffering.” — ITUC General Secretary Luc Triangle
“The situation is unbearable. The Cuban people have the right to live and work in dignity, free from measures that damage their economic and social well-being. The future of Cuba must be determined freely by the Cuban people, with full respect of their fundamental rights. We demand dialogue, international solidarity and respect for international law to protect peace, workers’ rights and social justice in the region.
“We cannot risk a further humanitarian catastrophe. People in need cannot wait for life-saving aid. Urgent and coordinated efforts are needed now to stop conditions from worsening.
“We call on governments to reject actions that further escalate tensions and to support international cooperation aimed at guaranteeing access to energy, healthcare, food and essential services for the Cuban population.”
