Reeling from Donald Trump’s decision to subject Cuba to Gaza-style genocide, punishing any nation that would dare to export oil to it, the Cuban government has now placed the island on a total emergency footing. On the evening of Feb. 6, Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez Oliva announced a series of “extreme” austerity measures, reserving scarce fuel for essential services and economic activity—public health, food production, and defense. Food shortages are widespread. Two years ago, for the first time, Cuba had to ask the World Food Program to begin operating in the country to provide milk for children.
Today, the government advised all international airlines that it is suspending refueling for those landing at Jose Marti International Airport for the next month. This is a huge blow to the already greatly-reduced tourist industry, which is an important source of hard currency for the government. From the Kremlin, spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the effects of the U.S.’s “strangulation” of the Cuban economy, reporting “We are in intensive contact with our Cuban friends through diplomatic and other channels,” he said. “Possible solutions, at least in terms of aid,” are being discussed, he said. There are currently 4,500 Russian tourists stranded in Cuba.
