When people think of Cuba, they often imagine the cool vintage cars seen driving around Havana. A closer look reveals a long history of sanctions and poverty.

The History of US Sanctions on Cuba

The United States (U.S.) has a long history of sanctioning and embargoing Cuba, starting with an embargo on Cuban sugar imports implemented by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1960. Historically, the sanctions aimed to push Cuba toward a free market-based capitalist economy, among other reasons.

President Donald Trump, in his second term, increased the severity of these sanctions. According to the U.S. government, Cuba is a threat to U.S. foreign policy and national security, and the Cuban government is “repugnant to the moral and political values of free and democratic societies.” U.S. officials have framed the sanctions as a pressure campaign intended to push political change in Cuba, citing the government’s human rights record and its historical seizure of U.S.-owned assets. Critics of the sanctions, including U.N. officials and international observers, argue that the measures amount to collective punishment that falls hardest on ordinary Cubans rather than the government itself.

Effect of the Recent Blockade on Poverty

Cuba has dealt with a high level of poverty for a long time. Many argue that this is due to socialist policy, while others point to the sanctions and embargoes through the years as the main cause. Even before the recent embargo, a study by Observatorio Cubano de Derechos Humanos at the end of 2025 revealed that 89% of Cubans were living in poverty. Twelve percent of the population could not afford medical supplies, even before the recent blockade, and 13% could not access them due to shortages.

On Jan. 29, 2026, the U.S. established a mechanism to impose additional tariffs on imports from nations that provide oil to Cuba. The U.S. has seized almost all oil tankers headed for Cuba since the blockade began. Only one, sent by Russia, reached Cuba. This oil blockade has further strained the country’s energy supply and overall poverty levels.

The lack of fuel means that major buildings such as hospitals struggle to function due to blackouts. According to the U.N., more than 100,000 people are awaiting surgery, including 11,000 children. Pregnant women are among the most at risk, with more than 32,000 struggling to access transportation and diagnostics. A stable supply of electricity is vital for lifesaving equipment in neonatal units.

Furthermore, these blackouts cause more than 3.1 million Cubans to face interruptions to their water supply. The water system operates with only 37% of the required fuel. Many residents get their supply from tanker trucks, which need fuel. With the shortage, people wait days for their water to arrive. Low-income communities, children, and the elderly are the most affected by the shortage.

International Response to the US Embargo of Cuba

Global actions reflect the international community’s evolving response to the U.S. embargo on Cuba. The most notable effort is the Nuestra América convoy that set off from Mexico to Cuba at the end of March 2026. This convoy comprised multiple boats traveling to Cuba with essential humanitarian aid and medical supplies. They brought medical supplies to one of Cuba’s most important hospitals, Hermanos Ameijeiras. They partnered with members of the LGBTQ community and distributed essential aid accordingly. To address the food shortage, food was delivered to families in Parque Maceo. This convoy was one of the most prominent aid deliveries of 2026.

A notable participant was streamer Hasan Piker, who served as a figurehead for the convoy, bringing significant attention to the cause and international sympathy. He has since been subpoenaed by the U.S. government in connection with an investigation into possible sanctions violations. Piker’s supporters have characterized the subpoena as retaliatory, while U.S. officials have not publicly detailed the basis for the investigation; the matter remains unresolved.

Providing humanitarian aid has not been the only form of resistance outside of Cuba. In Ireland, multiple groups have organized protests and campaigns against the actions of the U.S.

Since February 2026, pro-Cuban organizations have marched or held talks about the effects of the embargo. A pro-Cuba bloc joined forces with a pro-Palestine protest at the Garden of Remembrance in County Dublin. The Communist Party of Dublin distributed pamphlets demanding an end to the “illegal U.S. blockade of Cuba.”

Other resistance groups such as Libres Éire and the Workers Party of Ireland have also held similar demonstrations. These protests have pushed some members of the Irish government to speak out on the matter. A Sinn Féin Teachta Dála (member of parliament) called on the government to speak out against the actions of the U.S., after the Department of Foreign Affairs warned citizens not to visit Cuba due to safety concerns.

Local Response to the US Embargo of Cuba

The recent surge in poverty-related issues is prompting locals to find creative ways to alleviate the effects. One outcome of the fuel shortage is trash buildup. With state-run garbage trucks out of commission due to the lack of fuel, rubbish has started to accumulate across Havana. This has attracted rats, flies, and a general stench. Health officials worry about disease-carrying insects becoming a concern with rising summer heat and rain.

The buildup has urged locals to clean up neighborhoods themselves. One initiative is El Batazo. Some members sweep the streets, while a collector rings a bell twice daily to indicate to people to pick up household rubbish. Aluminum, glass, and other recyclable raw materials are sold. To help feed livestock, food scraps are repurposed, and remaining rubbish is put in a container for later transport to a landfill. Although initiatives like this are helping solve the problem, the health concerns due to the buildup remain a worry.

Looking Ahead

The humanitarian toll on ordinary Cubans has drawn growing international attention, driven in part by efforts like the Nuestra América convoy, which brought Hasan Piker’s large online following to the story, and by protests such as those in Ireland calling on governments to speak out. Local initiatives like El Batazo illustrate how communities are adapting to shortages in the meantime. Whether these pressures shift U.S. or Cuban government policy remains to be seen, but they underscore how deeply the standoff continues to affect daily life on the island.

– Oisín Downes

Oisín is based in Galway, Ireland and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr