USA opened a crack in its policy towards Cuba by making more flexible, with severe conditions, the prohibition of the Venezuelan oil arrive at the island. The turn occurs in full Cuban energy crisis and in a Caribbean that observes with concern the regional effects of a prolonged collapse.
The decision was announced while the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio participated in the summit of the CARICOM in Saint Kitts and Neviswhere Caribbean leaders warned that a weakened Cuba could drag down the entire area. Washington will allow “commercial and humanitarian” transactionsas long as the fuel is channeled through private companies and not the state or military apparatus of Havanawhich constitutes an unprecedented lock in decades of embargo.
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Cuba faces constant blackouts and one fuel shortage aggravated since Venezuela interrupted shipments after the capture of Nicolas Maduro. The energy vacuum accelerated regional concern. “A prolonged crisis in Cuba will not remain confined to Cuba“Warned the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness. His counterpart from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Terrance Drew, agreed: “A destabilized Cuba will destabilize us all”.
Sending humanitarian aid to Cuba
Canada also intervened. The Foreign Minister, Anita Anand announced $5.8 million in humanitarian aid channeled through UN agencies to ensure that it reaches the Cuban population directly.
The head of US diplomacy simultaneously defended the operation that deposed Maduro and assured that Venezuela “is better” and must move towards “fair and democratic elections”although without setting deadlines. Washington is now working with the interim president, Delcy Rodríguez, who openly received American oil companies.
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In the Caribbean, not everyone applauded Cuba. The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, refused to defend “communism and dictatorship”, also recalling that her country facilitated US military access before the operation in Caracas.
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