**Title: Cuba Responds to US Sanctions, Accuses Washington of Using Falsehoods**
Cuba's foreign minister, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, has sharply criticized the United States following the announcement of new sanctions targeting the Cuban state oil and gas company, CUPET. The sanctions, which were made public by the US Department of State on Thursday, are part of a broader strategy by Washington to exert pressure on the island nation, with the aim of instigating regime change.
Rodriguez Parrilla accused US Secretary of State Marco Rubio of employing “crude lies” to justify the sanctions, which he claims are driven by ambitions of conquest rather than genuine concerns for human rights or democracy. The Cuban government has been under a US embargo since 1960, and recent sanctions have intensified the economic difficulties faced by the island, including daily blackouts and severe fuel shortages, exacerbated by a halt in crude shipments from Venezuela, Cuba's primary oil supplier.
In its announcement, the US State Department argued that CUPET's assets were unlawfully expropriated from American owners years ago, and Rubio claimed that the Cuban government has “weaponized” energy resources, allegedly prioritizing military needs over those of the general population. This assertion has been met with strong rebuke from Cuban officials, who argue that such statements are misleading and serve to further justify punitive measures against the island.
Rodriguez Parrilla described Rubio's comments as “the most aggressive, uncouth, and rabid lies” among Cuba's adversaries, suggesting that they stem from personal vendettas rather than factual assessments. He noted that Rubio's political career is influenced by the sentiments of a “vengeful” elite, which he claims harbors animosity towards Cuba.
The impact of the sanctions is expected to be significant. Pedro Pablo Prada, a former Cuban ambassador to Argentina, warned that the restrictions would negatively affect fuel availability, electricity generation, transportation, and overall daily life for millions of Cubans. He indicated that the energy sector has become a primary target of the US's political and economic offensive against Cuba.
The humanitarian implications of the sanctions have also drawn international concern. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk highlighted that US sanctions have led to severe shortages of essential medical supplies, contributing to a rise in infant mortality rates on the island. Turk labeled the situation as “unacceptable,” noting that the infant mortality rate in Cuba has doubled since the imposition of the fuel blockade.
In response to the escalating crisis, Cuba has sought assistance from various nations, including Russia, China, and Mexico, which have provided humanitarian aid. Notably, Russia dispatched a shipment of approximately 700,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba in late March, reflecting ongoing international support for the island amid its economic challenges.
As tensions between the US and Cuba continue to escalate, the Cuban government remains steadfast in its criticism of US policies, framing them as detrimental to the well-being of the Cuban people while asserting its sovereignty against external pressures.