President Donald Trump issued executive orders on Friday, declaring the “policies, practices and actions of the Government of Cuba constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The orders declared a national emergency, giving the U.S. government authority to impose trade tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba.
In speaking to reporters in Florida on Sunday, Trump said the U.S. has begun talks with Cuban leaders as the administration increases pressure on the communist-run island.
“We’re starting to talk to Cuba,” Trump said.
“They need help,” he continued, noting he believes a deal could be reached to help people who fled Cuba after being “horribly treated” so they can return to visit family. He warned the island would be “failing pretty soon” without an agreement, according to Reuters.
The statements come as a Russian cargo plane, an Ilyushin Il-76, operated by Aviacon Zitotrans, landed at San Antonio de los Baños Airfield on Sunday night, according to public flight data and Fox News. The landing at the military base south of Havana mirrors flight patterns observed before the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January, the news outlet reported.
The threat of tariffs on oil suppliers worsens what The Wall Street Journal described as one of Cuba’s biggest economic crises since 1902. According to data from international analytics provider Kpler, reported by the Financial Times, the island has 15-20 days of oil reserves left due to the ceased supply from Venezuela and a reduced supply from Mexico.
The policy has drawn mixed reactions. Alex Tyrrell, leader of the Green Party of Quebec, called on the Canadian government to oppose the U.S. efforts.
The Cuban Embassy in the U.S. also released a statement on X, condemning the “new escalation by the U.S. government against Cuba in its efforts to impose a total blockade on fuel supplies to our country.”
On the other hand, Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, R-Fla., posted on X that he was grateful for Trump’s efforts in “defending U.S. national security and standing with the oppressed Cuban people.”