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The United States Embassy stated that Cuba can acquire food, medicine, and medical equipment without restrictions from Washington, refuting the official narrative from Havana that blames the "blockade" for the lack of basic supplies.
According to the statement, for decades U.S. laws and regulations have explicitly allowed those exports to the island.
The statement adds that the U.S. financial and trade restrictions on certain transactions—related to entities controlled by Cuban security services—do not prevent Cuba from purchasing foreign products through third countries.
In other words, the regulatory framework does not block the international purchase of food, medicines, or equipment, as the Cuban government repeatedly asserts.
"The U.S. restrictions on certain transactions between U.S. citizens and certain entities in Cuba (owned or controlled by security services) do not prohibit the sale of foreign products to Cuba from third countries," the consular office explained.
The diplomatic representation described the regime's arguments that hold the United States responsible for the healthcare shortages as "false rhetoric".
He also asserted that when U.S. diplomats and congress members have offered to facilitate the acquisition of supplies and medical equipment, Havana has rejected the help and chosen to maintain the narrative of victimhood.
The note from the Embassy comes in the context of a health crisis and a shortage of medications reported by citizens and healthcare professionals on the island, a situation where the Government often attributes the deterioration to sanctions.
The U.S. clarification, however, insists that there are no legal barriers preventing Cuba from purchasing those categories of products on the international market.
The statement puts the onus on the Cuban government to explain why shortages continue if there are legal avenues to acquire essential supplies.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla denounced that the U.S. embargo caused damages to the country estimated at 7.556 billion dollars in 2024, according to official calculations.
Rodríguez stated that, if that policy had not existed, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices would have grown by 9.2% last year.
Although the government insists on , independent economists emphasize that the decline is also explained by low productivity, a growing fiscal deficit, a lack of foreign investment, and a centralized model that cannot generate foreign currency sustainably.
This does not take into account the corruption attributed to the regime: a recent investigation revealed that GAESA, the Cuban military conglomerate, has accumulated over 18 billion dollars while the population faces shortages.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Relations between Cuba and the United States and the Embargo
Can Cuba buy food and medicine from the United States?
Yes, Cuba can acquire food, medicine, and medical equipment without restrictions from Washington. According to the United States Embassy, US laws and regulations explicitly allow these exports to the island. Financial and commercial restrictions apply to certain transactions linked to entities controlled by Cuban security services, but they do not prevent the purchase of foreign products through third countries.
What does the Cuban government argue regarding the U.S. embargo?
The Cuban government attributes the lack of basic supplies and economic problems to the U.S. embargo, which it refers to as a "blockade." Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla stated that the embargo caused damages estimated at 7.556 billion dollars in 2024. According to the regime, if this policy did not exist, Cuba's GDP would have grown by 9.2% in the last year. However, independent economists point out that the economic decline is also due to low productivity, a growing fiscal deficit, a lack of foreign investment, and a centralized model incapable of generating foreign currency sustainably.
Why does the shortage persist in Cuba if products can be purchased abroad?
The United States Embassy states that there are no legal barriers preventing Cuba from purchasing essential products in the international market. However, the Cuban government maintains that the embargo complicates financial and commercial transactions. Critics argue that low economic efficiency, the lack of structural reforms, and corruption within the regime significantly contribute to shortages on the island.
What role does GAESA play in the Cuban economy?
GAESA is a Cuban military conglomerate that has amassed over 18 billion dollars. While the population faces shortages, GAESA benefits from public funds and controls a significant portion of the Cuban economy. This conglomerate is an example of how the regime prioritizes the interests of the elite over social needs, allocating a large part of the investment to sectors such as tourism, rather than to health or education.
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