Cuba says U.S. embargo costs hit record $8.08 billion in year period

Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Cuba said the U.S. embargo caused a record $8.08 billion in economic losses between March 2025 and February a 7% increase from the previous record set a year earlier. Figures presented Monday in Havana by Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez show that the accumulated cost since the embargo began has surpassed $178.7 billion at current prices, an increase of 4.7% during the latest period analyzed. Rodríguez said the estimates were conservative because they included only the first month of the effects of U.S. energy restrictions imposed Jan. 29, the state-run newspaper Granma reported. During the presentation of Cuba's annual report on the impact of the U.S. economic, commercial and financial embargo, Rodríguez focused much of his remarks on what Havana calls an "energy blockade" imposed by Washington since January to prevent fuel imports and oil tankers from reaching the island. The Cuban government says the restrictions are responsible for power outages that last more than 20 hours a day in some residential areas, disruptions to water supplies, widespread public transportation problems and severe effects on hospital services. Surgical waiting lists have surpassed 100,000 patients, Diario de Cuba reported. Rodríguez said that whenever Cuba creates a new mechanism to circumvent the restrictions, the United States moves to block it. He compared the policy with what he described as the "same destructive spirit" behind the war in Gaza, saying that in Cuba "it is silent, without bombs, but it also kills." Amid the restrictions, only one Russian oil tanker has managed to reach the island since the beginning of the year, according to reports. Rodríguez said a U.S. executive order threatens shipping companies and even prevents them from transporting parts and equipment needed for thermoelectric power plants or photovoltaic systems. "A 100,000-ton crude oil shipment would make it possible to drastically reduce blackouts for approximately two weeks," Rodríguez said. He added that imports of fuel oil and diesel for generators would allow Cuba to "reduce blackouts to a minimum." Rodríguez warned that the energy crisis is severely affecting Cuba's healthcare system, with hospitals struggling to keep essential medical equipment, operating rooms, ambulances and hemodialysis services running because of electricity and fuel shortages. The foreign minister also cited difficulties securing medicines and medical supplies and linked those shortages to an increase in infant mortality, which rose from 4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2018 to 9.9 in 2025. Rodríguez said the embargo remains the main obstacle to Cuba's development, affecting essential public services, infrastructure and the government's ability to maintain social programs. He said that without the embargo, Cuba's gross domestic product at current prices would have been 10.8% higher in 2025 than the estimated figure for that year. Addressing relations between Havana and Washington, Rodríguez confirmed that "there have been talks with the State Department" and that "communications in this regard are ongoing." However, he said the discussions "show no advances or progress because of the lack of willingness on the part of the United States government."