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The United Nations (UN) confirmed on Tuesday that it is in negotiations with the United States Government to allow the access of fuel for humanitarian purposes to Cuba, amid the worsening energy crisis on the island and the deterioration of essential services such as hospitals.
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, explained in his daily press briefing that the organization is seeking mechanisms to ensure the delivery of assistance without violating the current sanctions regime.
“We are in discussions with member states, including the United States, to ensure that aid can be delivered without obstacles. This includes access to fuel for humanitarian purposes”, stated Dujarric in remarks quoted today by the agency EFE.
The spokesperson noted that discussions with Washington represent a “significant and essential avenue” for attempting to resolve the issue and facilitate the operation of humanitarian efforts in the country.
"We hope to be successful in those discussions," he added.
The statements represent the first public confirmation from the UN headquarters in New York regarding diplomatic efforts to secure fuel for humanitarian operations on the island.
On Monday, the UN resident coordinator in Cuba, Francisco Pichón, had already indicated that the organization was trying to open a channel with Washington to allow for that supply without the countries involved facing sanctions.
According to the official's explanation at that time, the fuel would have a strictly controlled purpose: to support the humanitarian response operations of international agencies and to ensure basic services for vulnerable populations.
Health and energy crisis
During his remarks to the press, Dujarric also warned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Cuba, particularly in the healthcare system.
According to the spokesperson, hospitals are facing frequent power outages and shortages of essential medications, severely impacting emergency services, maternal and child care, and oncology treatments.
According to the data cited by the UN, around 60,000 cancer patients in need of radiotherapy and another 12,000 requiring chemotherapy are unable to receive their treatments due to power outages and a lack of resources.
The international organization also warned that the fuel shortage is jeopardizing other essential services in the country.
“Access to drinking water and the food supply chain are increasingly threatened by the lack of fuel,” Dujarric noted.
Currently, nearly one million people rely on water supply from tanker trucks, which require fuel to operate.
Furthermore, more than 80% of the water pumping infrastructure relies on electricity, which leads to prolonged service interruptions.
The UN also warned that the lack of fuel is limiting the ability of humanitarian agencies themselves to operate on the island.
Efforts for a humanitarian exception
Negotiations with Washington are taking place against a backdrop of significant deterioration of the Cuban energy system and increasing fuel shortages.
In recent weeks, the UN resident coordinator in Havana had publicly requested the United States for a "humanitarian exception" to ensure the necessary energy supply for international aid operations.
The initiative aims to establish mechanisms for traceability and control to ensure that fuel is used exclusively for humanitarian purposes and to support essential services for vulnerable populations.
The aim would be to create a framework that not only allows for the operation of United Nations agencies but also opens up space for other countries to energetically support Cuba without facing sanctions.
Energy pressure on the island
The energy crisis in Cuba has intensified in recent months following the disruption of oil shipments from Venezuela, which for decades was the island's main fuel supplier.
At the same time, the U.S. government has intensified pressure on the Cuban regime through sanctions aimed at limiting the supply of oil to the country.
In this context, the UN is attempting to establish a diplomatic channel to ensure a minimum supply of fuel to maintain essential humanitarian services, while the energy crisis continues to impact transportation, economic activity, and the daily lives of the Cuban population.
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