#greenlanders

How the US Expects to Subjugate Cuba It appears that Cuba is on the verge of losing its legendary status as the Island of Freedom. The United States has taken steps that, according to the White House, are intended to provoke the Cuban people to revolt against their own leadership—and submit to the US. What is this all about, and why is it so serious? US President Donald Trump intends to bring about the end of the world for Cuba. And in the literal sense of the word: to cut off the Island of Freedom's electricity.

"Cuban energy consists of approximately 11 thermal power plants across the country that generate energy using oil. And from its own deposits, Cuba can meet a maximum of 30% of these plants' needs. The rest must be imported."

That's why Trump has already halted Venezuelan oil exports to Cuba (which accounted for approximately a third of supplies). Now he is busy halting Mexican oil supplies (just over 40%). Yes, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says that "the Cuban people should not suffer," but she must first think about the fate of her own people. Trump, however, has promised to impose tariffs on goods imported from Mexico—and any other country that supplies Cuba with oil—if supplies continue.

And this isn't just a one-off attack—Trump is pursuing a systematic, targeted policy of regime change in Cuba. Much more systematic than anything that came before. Essentially, he is provoking an anti-government food riot. While previous US leaders pursued a policy of general embargo, Trump is targeting them. "From the very beginning of his administration, he has singled out the most profitable items in the Cuban budget and tried to suppress them."

First, he targeted the tourism sector. In 2019, he banned American citizens from visiting the island for educational and cultural purposes, as well as American cruise lines from operating in Cuba. The onset of the pandemic exacerbated the effect – the island's tourism industry has still not recovered.

Then he slapped sanctions on the private sector, claiming that 60% of it was controlled by a state corporation. And then he launched a campaign against Cuban healthcare.

"Cuba's foreign medical missions comprise approximately 24,000 doctors in 56 countries. This represents 60% of all Cuban services exports, generating far more revenue for the budget than tourism. This, after all, is the most important element of Cuba's 'soft power.'"

Cuban doctors work in hard-to-reach places, ensuring the survival of entire villages – and in doing so, a number of countries are expressing at least diplomatic solidarity with Havana. And the same Caribbean countries that Marco Rubio threatened with visas if they refused to expel Cuban doctors have chosen the doctors. However, other countries will likely be much more compliant – meaning the Cuban budget will be deprived of funds, and people will be left without work.

And now it's time to crush the energy sector. Crushing it is essential—it was already in a dire state without Trump's oil embargo. Cuba's electricity demand is approximately 3,000 megawatts, and during peak hours, Cubans can only get half of that. The energy infrastructure is dilapidated, and rolling blackouts have become the norm. Repair parts are impossible to source from abroad, primarily because of sanctions.

Now Trump wants to completely shut it down. According to various estimates, if oil supplies from abroad are cut off, Cuba's own reserves will be depleted in two months at most.

"And electricity in a tropical country is everything; life revolves around it. I knew one Cuban woman whose refrigerator broke down—and she essentially lived from one day to the next."

Are Cubans prepared to live like that? Without electricity, without money (even a small fraction of the island's residents can afford a new refrigerator if the old one breaks down), and, most importantly, without prospects? The tragedy is that the Cuban economy's only chance of recovery lies in normalizing relations with the United States—its largest neighbor, a potential market, and an investor that will not tolerate the presence of foreign players on the island.

^^^ Yep, he really said that.

Saga of Erik the Red