Related videos:
President Donald J. Trump declared a "national emergency" on January 29 in the face of what he described as "an unusual and extraordinary threat" posed by the Government of Cuba to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
The measure, formalized through an Executive Order signed at the White House, introduces a new tariff system aimed at countries that supply oil to the island, either directly or indirectly.
The decision is based on the "National Emergency Law" and the "International Emergency Economic Powers Act," and it responds to the alignment of the Cuban regime with "hostile countries, transnational terrorist groups, and malign actors opposed to the United States," including Russia, China, Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas.
According to the former Assistant Secretary of State, , the declaration of a national emergency regarding Cuba is not new, but rather a continuation of the one issued on March 1, 1996, following the downing of two U.S. humanitarian aircraft by Cuban jets, an incident that resulted in the deaths of three citizens of the United States and one permanent resident.
That emergency has been extended annually by successive presidents, including the latest renewal signed by Trump on February 24, 2025. The new aspect of the current document is the inclusion of tariffs against countries that sell or supply oil to the Cuban regime.
The reasons for the threat: Dangerous alliances and direct threats
The White House claims that Cuba hosts the largest Russian intelligence facility abroad, used to spy on and steal sensitive U.S. national security information.
In addition, it accuses the Cuban regime of developing a “deep cooperation” with the People's Republic of China in matters of defense and intelligence, as well as providing safe haven for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
According to the White House, these relationships create a "secure environment" for such groups to expand their economic and military influence in the Western Hemisphere, which Washington interprets as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the region and directly threaten the United States.
The first tough measure: Tariffs for those supplying Cuba
The order signed by Trump authorizes the imposition of additional tariffs on goods imported from countries that supply oil to Cuba, even indirectly through third parties.
The Department of Commerce and the Department of State will be responsible for identifying the nations involved and implementing the corresponding sanctions. The White House believes that this mechanism will allow for "holding the Cuban regime accountable" and cutting off its access to strategic resources.
The provision also grants the president broad powers to modify the measures if Havana or the affected countries take significant steps to align with the national security and foreign policy objectives of the United States.
Threat to democratic values and regional destabilization
The presidential statement emphasizes that the Cuban communist regime is an actor that “persecutes and tortures its political opponents, denies freedom of expression and the press, and corruptly exploits the misery of its people.”
Furthermore, he is accused of “spreading his communist ideas and policies throughout the region,” which, according to Washington, poses a threat to democratic values and the hemispheric order.
The Trump administration emphasizes that the national emergency aims not only to hinder the military and intelligence alliances of the Cuban regime but also to support "the aspirations of the Cuban people for a free and democratic society."
The measure is part of a broader course of action promoted by President Trump since his first term, which includes immigration restrictions, economic sanctions, and the reversal of the approaches implemented during Barack Obama's administration.
The White House asserts that its goal is to "protect national interests and hold the Cuban communist regime accountable for its malevolent actions."
Washington, with the declaration of a national emergency, formalizes its assessment of the Havana regime and positions it within the geopolitical landscape not only as an ideological adversary but also as a tangible threat to the security of the United States and regional stability.
Filed under: