UN experts condemn US sanctions on Cuba

Independent UN human rights experts condemned the latest round of US sanctions against Cuba, describing them as an attempt to force change on a sovereign state through threats and coercion. The sanctions, expanded since June 2026, include blocking oil supplies in January and new measures on July 23 targeting energy companies, further restricting fuel imports even for humanitarian purposes. Cuba is facing severe fuel shortages and its third major nationwide blackout, with energy, transport, irrigation, and basic services breaking down. UN agencies report growing food insecurity, medicine shortages, and disrupted healthcare. The experts warned Cuba risks becoming a 'silent Gaza' and called on the US to revoke the measures, urging the UN Security Council and General Assembly to treat the situation as an urgent matter of international peace and security. The US State Department released a report on July 20 describing Cuba as a threat, which the experts said lacks concrete evidence.