The administration of President Donald Trump is considering imposing a total blockade on oil imports destined for Cuba, a measure that would mark a new phase of tightening of United States policy toward the island and that seeks to accelerate a political change in the Caribbean country, according to a report by the outlet "Politico".
According to the report, although a final decision has not yet been made, the proposal has the backing of influential sectors within the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, one of the most steadfast critics of the Cuban regime.
The possible measure is part of a broader regional strategy promoted by Trump since the beginning of his current term, aimed at weakening governments that are hostile to United States interests and at promoting a political realignment in Latin America and the Caribbean.
In early January, the president announced that he would block the flow of oil and financial resources from Venezuela to Cuba, after an operation that culminated in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and United States control over key energy assets of that country.
Analysts point out that an oil blockade would have significant consequences for Cuba, whose economy depends to a great extent on crude oil imports to sustain its electrical system, transportation, and industrial activity.
The island has been going through a deep economic crisis for decades, characterized by recurring blackouts, fuel shortages, and a sustained decline in the standard of living, factors that highlight the fragility of the current communist model.
