In brief
At the 30th Ibero‑American Summit in Madrid, Cuban officials condemned the U.S. for intensifying sanctions against Cuba, describing them as an "energy blockade" and "infinite levels of collective punishment." The Cuban Foreign Minister urged Ibero‑American cooperation to counter these measures, while the Cuban president expressed support for his colleague's remarks. The statement highlighted Cuba’s stance on the broader regional partnership and the impact of recent U.S. economic restrictions.
Cuban officials condemned the United States’ expansion of sanctions against the island nation during the 30th Ibero‑American Summit in Madrid, describing the measures as an energy blockade and an "infinite level of collective punishment".
The condemnation was voiced by Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez during the summit, which ran from November 4–5, 2026. In an address, the minister said the United States had intensified its trade embargo and imposed secondary sanctions against individuals and companies that sought to do business with Cuba, adding that Cubans had endured an unprecedented tightening of the U.S. trade embargo for the past ten months.
Foreign Minister Rodríguez framed the U.S. actions as a "naval‑blockade‑equivalent energy blockade" that directly impacted the island’s electricity supply and economic sustainability. He further described the sanctions as an "obsessive war of economic strangulation" aimed at Cuba, calling them inhumane and a form of collective punishment that violated the Cuban people’s rights.
President Miguel Díaz‑Canel, who shared the summit’s proceedings on social media, reported that Rodríguez stressed Cuba’s commitment to Ibero‑American cooperation based on the principles of equality, sovereignty and mutual respect. The minister called for joint projects, knowledge sharing and common solutions to advance sustainable development within the region.
Rodríguez reiterated Cuba’s dedication to strengthen Ibero‑American cooperation amid the bloc’s temporary leadership by Honduras. He urged action in line with the founding principles of the Ibero‑American Community to counter arbitrary sanctions and abuses of power.
During the summit, Cuban officials also hinted at a broad regional push to counter American economic pressure, emphasizing solidarity among member states. While no specific policy proposals were unveiled, the Cuban delegation underscored the need for collective action against what it deemed unjust sanctions.
In its official statement, the Cuban government expressed gratitude for the support of Ibero‑American partners, while warning that the United States would halt its aggressive sanctioning efforts if Cuba was to achieve economic stability and development in the region.
Meanwhile, the United States has maintained that its sanctions target behavior that diminishes human rights and national security concerns. No U.S. officials appeared at the summit, and no statements from Washington were released in response to Cuba’s criticisms.
The Cuban condemnation reflects the long‑standing tension between the U.S. and Cuba over sanctions that have endured since 1960, with the current administration seeking to reinvigorate the embargo and secondary restrictions. The Cuban side stresses that the reforms will not be tolerated and that the island will seek support from its Ibero‑American allies to defend its sovereignty and economic interests.
