Cuba embargo extended by US for another year

The United States extended its trade embargo on Cuba for another year on Tuesday, drawing condemnation from the Cuban government.

US president John F. Kennedy first established the embargo in 1962 under the Trading with the Enemy Act, which allows Washington to restrict trade with countries it considers enemies. Every US president has renewed the provision annually since 1978.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez condemned the extension “in the strongest terms” on X. He called the embargo “a genocidal policy” and accused Washington of being “intent on suffocating an entire nation.”

The extension comes as Cuba faces regular rolling blackouts and chronic food and fuel shortages. Havana blames the crisis partly on US measures, including what it calls an energy blockade imposed in January. Washington attributes Cuba's hardship to poor internal management.

US President Donald Trump has added further measures against Havana since taking office for a second time, including sanctions on state-linked entities.