‘We can’t take it anymore’: How Trump is pushing Cuba to the brink
‘We’ve reached our limit’: Trump’s Policies Intensify Cuba’s Struggles
A Havana street vendor, his voice barely above a murmur, confessed to a CNN reporter, “Let the Americans come, let Trump come—this has gone on long enough.” His words, though hushed, carried the weight of a people weary of decades of hardship. In an era marked by US presidential rhetoric reminiscent of Cold War tensions, Cuba finds itself under renewed strain. The vendor’s plea echoed the desperation of a nation grappling with a transportation crisis that has left many without reliable means to move about. I glanced around, ensuring no one else had overheard, and checked if my cameraman was ready to capture the man’s candid remarks. He was a bicycle-taxi driver, his livelihood hanging by a thread as the economic toll of Trump’s actions deepens.
Trump’s Economic Strikes on Cuba
Donald Trump, in his second presidential term, has escalated pressure on Cuba with an oil embargo that strikes at the heart of its struggling economy. Unlike the 1962 missile crisis, which involved naval blockades, this modern campaign targets Havana’s remaining allies, severing vital fuel supplies. The result? A stark reality: many hotels built by the Cuban government stand vacant, and employees are sent home. Tourists, once a steady source of income, have dwindled, leaving planes grounded and power grids under siege. With blackouts stretching for days, Cubans now rise in the dead of night to prepare meals, relying on burning tree limbs as makeshift stoves.
“We’ve returned to the Stone Age,” one man said, his tone unexpectedly light, as he tended to a pot over a smoldering fire on a main avenue. Fuel scarcity has turned government-owned vehicles into the only reliable source for gas, prompting Cubans to siphon fuel for resale on the black market. A single tank now costs more than $300, exceeding the annual earnings of many. The sight of people sifting through trash for food has become routine, with children occasionally joining the search.
A Nation on the Brink
Trump’s assertions that Cuba seeks a deal to ease its crisis ring hollow to officials who insist the US will never dictate terms again. The country, still rallying under the cry of “The homeland or death. We will be victorious!” in every speech, remains defiant. Yet, the Cuban man’s whispered hope for change—no matter its form—hints at a growing weariness. As the transportation crisis worsens, the island’s resilience is tested, its people left to navigate a future shaped by Trump’s relentless economic pressure.
When my cameraman finally returns, I ask the taxi driver if he wishes to share his thoughts for the story. He walks away, reluctant to voice his frustrations above a hushed tone, at least for now. The message is clear: Cuba is pushing against the tide, but the weight of the tide grows stronger each day.
