Cuba Says US Sanctions Are Hindering Its Shift Toward a Market Economy

US sanctions have been described as an obstacle to Cuba’s transition to capitalism

In Cuba, it is believed that US sanctions are hindering the country’s transition to a market economy.

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The Cuban authorities believe that the intense pressure from sanctions being exerted on Havana by Washington in 2026 is hindering their efforts to reform the economy and transition to a capitalist system. Bloomberg quotes remarks to this effect by Fernández de Cossio, the island nation’s Deputy Foreign Minister.

“If the US eases the pressure, these changes in Cuba could make significant progress and become truly irreversible,” said the Cuban official.

The agency notes that after US special forces flew Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to New York, thereby effectively taking control of the oil-producing country, the White House unleashed a barrage of sanctions on Cuba and imposed a fuel blockade on the country.

In response, Cuba put forward more than 170 proposals aimed at expanding the private sector’s freedom of action and easing import regulations, but these measures will not yield results as long as the US adheres to its current line, ‘forcing the Cuban people into submission’, emphasised de Cossio, who, according to the agency, is responsible for relations with the United States. According to him, negotiations between the parties have now effectively reached an impasse.

Some analysts believe that the situation could change if, following the November mid-term elections, control of the House of Representatives and the Senate passes to the Democrats. The Cuban deputy minister described this view as ‘wishing the wishful thinking were reality’. “It is quite obvious that the US is seeking to create a situation of dependence,” he said, emphasising that Havana does not wish to be under anyone’s domination. Meanwhile, according to media reports, the US military is continuing to prepare for a military operation against Cuba.

This story was translated with the assistance of artificial intelligence.The translation was also reviewed by the Logos Press editorial team.

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