Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez slammed Secretary of State Marco Rubio over his claim that the Trump administration has not taken any "punitive action" against the island.
In a social media publication, Rodriguez listed several actions the Trump administration has taken towards Havana, claiming all of them amount to punitive action.
"What is the economic blockade, if not a punitive action? What is the threat against any country that exports fuels to Cuba, if not a punitive action? What is the financial persecution of Cuban transactions in any country, the restrictions imposed on merchant vessels touching Cuban ports and the ban on US citizens' travels to Cuba, if not punitive actions?" he said.
Now the #US government is saying it has not taken any "punitive" action whatsoever against #Cuba.
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) March 31, 2026
What is the economic blockade, if not a punitive action? What is the threat against any country that exports fuels to Cuba, if not a punitive action? What is the financial… pic.twitter.com/NmFBVZDwr3
"What is the purpose pursued by the selective and arbitrary lists, such as the list of State sponsors of terrorism, restricted entities and restricted accommodations? What are the abusive pressures exerted against Caribbean and Latin American governments that are forcing them to renounce their medical cooperation programs with Cuba with the intention of depriving the country of legitimate incomes, if not a purely punitive action?" he added.
He was making reference to remarks by Rubio, who said the country was not taking any such actions against Cuba and that the only change is that Havana is "not getting free Venezuelan oil anymore," in reference to the capture of Nicolas Maduro and the interim government's shift towards a friendlier policy towards the U.S.
"They claim we have, but we haven't," Rubio added. "They're not getting subsidies anymore. That's the only thing that's changed."
The remarks come as the U.S. appeared to maintain a blockade of Cuba, preventing it from getting fuel and exacerbating a crisis in the country. However, the U.S. did not stop the arrival of a Russian tanker this week, delivering hundreds of barrels of oil.
"We don't mind having somebody get a boatload because they need... they have to survive," Trump told reporters aboard the Air Force One on Sunday night.
"If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem whether it's Russia or not," Trump added, saying that the country is "finished." "Whether or not they get a boat of oil, it's not going to matter."
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told press that the delivery was "raised well in advance" with the Trump administration.
He claimed that the "brutal blockade" was jeopardizing "life-support systems and electricity generation" and preventing the medical sector from operating properly. "Russia сonsiders it its duty not to stand aside, but to provide the necessary assistance to our Cuban friends."
However, the relief could prove to be short-lived. Experts consulted by CNN estimated that the supply could last between 10 and 30 days once refined and distributed.
