Ever wondered why gas lines are back in Havana? 🤔 Cuba’s feeling the heat after US naval forces stepped up their "war on drugs" in the southern Caribbean and eastern Pacific, killing over 100 people on alleged drug boats. But analysts say the real target has been Venezuelan oil exports – and that squeeze is hitting Cuba’s fuel imports hard ⛽😮.
Since late 2025, Washington has ramped up military patrols at sea, intercepting vessels and seizing oil shipments bound for Venezuela. While labeled anti-narcotics operations, the knock-on effect has been an energy crunch in Havana, where subsidized Venezuelan crude powers hospitals, public transport and the national grid.
Cuban officials have denounced the seizures as economic aggression that undermines regional stability. In a statement last week, Havana called on the international community to condemn these measures and urged Washington to lift what they view as "unjust" restrictions. For everyday Cubans, it means longer queues for scarce fuel, sporadic power cuts and delays in essential services.
Young people from Manila to Mumbai are watching closely. This episode shows how superpower moves, masked as drug-fighting, can ripple through global energy markets – from fuel prices in Jakarta to rations in Chennai 🌍.
What’s next? Experts suggest Cuba might pivot to alternative energy or deepen ties with new partners to ease the squeeze. Meanwhile, human rights advocates warn that militarized seizures risk civilian lives and demand more transparency on US operations.
Stay tuned as we follow the latest twists in the US–Cuba–Venezuela saga! 🔥
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
