In an interview published by the WSJ on 1/7, Cuba's deputy prime minister Oscar Perez-Oliva stated that tightening US sanctions are increasingly isolating Cuba, leading many foreign investors to withdraw. However, he emphasized that Washington is mistaken in assuming economic pressure can subdue Havana.

Perez-Oliva asserted, "The US government aims to force Cuba into economic dependence, damaging relations with partners from other nations. Those leading the US are consistently mistaken, as they underestimate our resilience."

Cuba's deputy prime minister Oscar Perez-Oliva speaks in 1/2025. Photo: Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Since the start of the year, President Donald Trump's administration imposed an oil export blockade on Cuba, later expanding sanctions targeting Cuban businesses. This has occurred as Cuba faces its most severe economic challenges in decades.

In response, Cuba's government in June unveiled a package of 176 reform measures. These initiatives are designed to attract foreign investment and expand the private sector.

The plan outlines the removal of regulations limiting businesses to a maximum of 100 employees, allowing entrepreneurs to own multiple companies. It also includes lifting price controls, permitting private banks to operate, and gradually privatizing or forming public-private partnerships for certain state-owned enterprises, even with investors who are Cubans living abroad.

Perez-Oliva affirmed these reforms are "substantive and well-researched," designed to safeguard the achievements of the 1959 revolution, not merely "smoke and mirrors." He added that many policies will begin implementation within 30-60 days, without requiring constitutional amendments.

Drivers queue for fuel at a gas station in Havana, Cuba in 1/2024. Photo: AFP

Meanwhile, Cuba's foreign minister Bruno Rodriguez stated on 1/7 that high-level dialogues between Washington and Havana have stalled. This lack of progress is due to the US government maintaining sanctions and issuing statements that threaten Cuba's sovereignty and independence.

Rodriguez also announced that Cuba will present the issue of US embargoes at the United Nations General Assembly session on 7/7. He stated that Havana plans to accuse Washington of implementing an "economic, commercial, and financial blockade," deeming it an act that threatens regional peace and security and violates international law, according to Granma, the official newspaper of Cuba's Communist Party.

Cuba's foreign minister believes that tightening embargo measures, particularly the energy blockade, are causing severe humanitarian consequences. These measures have resulted in prolonged power outages across Cuba, leaving millions without clean water, restricting hospitals to only emergency cases, sharply reducing tourism, and nearly stagnating the economy.

Nevertheless, Rodriguez affirmed Cuba's readiness for dialogue with the US, based on equality, mutual respect, and non-interference in internal affairs. He also declared that Havana will continue to defend its sovereignty and "fight to the end" if faced with external pressure.

By Thanh Danh (According to WSJ, Granma)