US greenlights resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba
Deutsche Welle
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. Treasury Department has announced a relaxation of restrictions on the resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba, provided that such transactions benefit the Cuban private sector rather than the government. This move follows President Trump’s earlier decision to block fuel supplies as part of efforts to push for regime change and reforms in Cuba. The Treasury stated it would prioritize licensing applications aimed at supporting the Cuban people through commercial or humanitarian use of Venezuelan oil.
The easing of restrictions comes amid severe economic hardship in Cuba, which has faced a near-total shutdown due to a lack of fuel. Power outages have become commonplace, forcing hospitals to reduce services and trash collectors to halt their work, leading to mounting piles of waste across the island. The situation worsened after the U.S.-backed ouster of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, as Venezuela had been a key oil supplier to Cuba.
Meanwhile, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand announced $8 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba through UN programs. The funds aim to address urgent needs such as food security and child welfare. This assistance highlights international concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding on the island.
At a CARICOM summit in Saint Kitts and Nevis, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended American policies toward Venezuela and reiterated the need for fair democratic elections in both Cuba and Venezuela. Regional leaders expressed growing anxiety about potential instability in the region, with some warning that a prolonged crisis in Cuba could trigger migration surges and broader instability.
This shift in U.S. policy marks an acknowledgment of the severe hardship faced by Cuban citizens while maintaining pressure on the island’s government. It also underscores the interconnectedness of economic, political, and regional stability challenges in the Caribbean and Latin America.
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Originally published on Deutsche Welle on 2/26/2026