Cuban Citizens Endure Severe Hardships Amid U.S. Sanctions
‘The country is being strangled’: Ordinary Cubans suffer as Trump administration turns the screw
The Irish Times
Image: The Irish Times
Cuban citizens are facing dire living conditions as U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration exacerbate an already struggling economy. With power outages lasting up to 20 hours daily, many, like Yusimi Castellano, rely on makeshift cooking methods, leading to a humanitarian crisis affecting health and daily life.
- 01Cuba's power outages now last up to 20 hours a day, severely impacting daily life and cooking methods.
- 02The Trump administration's sanctions have cut off oil supplies from Venezuela and Mexico, crippling Cuba's energy sector.
- 03Residents like Yusimi Castellano and Haydee Gómez Suárez struggle to find basic necessities, often resorting to cooking with cardboard and wood.
- 04Santiago de Cuba, with a predominantly Afro-Cuban population, is particularly hard hit due to its economic reliance on remittances and a less developed private sector.
- 05Many Cubans express disillusionment with the government, attributing the crisis to mismanagement and prioritization of tourism over essential services.
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The humanitarian crisis in Cuba has intensified as U.S. sanctions imposed during the Trump administration have severely disrupted the country's economy. Citizens like Yusimi Castellano, who lives in Santiago de Cuba, face power outages lasting up to 20 hours daily, forcing them to rely on makeshift cooking methods such as using charcoal and firewood. The sanctions have halted oil deliveries from Venezuela, Cuba's primary benefactor, and cut off foreign fuel shipments, leading to a collapse of the energy sector. Residents report that cooking gas is no longer available, and many have turned to scavenging for materials to cook. The situation is particularly dire in Santiago, which has a large Afro-Cuban population and lacks the infrastructure seen in Havana. Many residents express frustration and hopelessness, feeling abandoned by their government while struggling to meet basic needs. The crisis highlights the intersection of U.S. foreign policy and the Cuban government's economic mismanagement, leaving ordinary Cubans to bear the brunt of the consequences.
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The ongoing humanitarian crisis is severely affecting the daily lives of Cuban citizens, leading to health issues and food insecurity.
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