About our US/Cuba news
Latest news on US-Cuba relations, covering diplomatic ties, sanctions, embargo, trade, travel, and developments between the United States and Cuba.
Relations between the United States and Cuba remain among the most contentious bilateral relationships in the Western Hemisphere. With Cuba located just 90 miles from Florida's coast, the two nations have been locked in a complex standoff for over six decades, shaped by Cold War tensions, ideological differences, and domestic politics in both countries. The comprehensive trade embargo imposed in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy continues to define the relationship, making Cuba the most sanctioned country in US history.
Recent developments have dramatically heightened tensions and placed Cuba in an increasingly precarious position. Following the US military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in early January 2026, President Donald Trump declared that Cuba "looks like it's ready to fall," signalling potential further pressure on the island. The operation resulted in the deaths of 32 Cuban nationals who were protecting Maduro, marking the first direct combat between US and Cuban forces in decades. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a Cuban-American known for his hardline stance towards Havana, warned Cuban government officials they should be "concerned," though he declined to detail future policy steps. The loss of Venezuela as Cuba's primary economic lifeline—which had provided roughly 35,000 barrels of oil daily—threatens to accelerate the island's humanitarian crisis.
The Trump administration has reimposed comprehensive restrictions on Cuba, including banning US tourism to the island, sanctioning entities controlled by the Cuban military, and redesignating Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. These measures reversed brief policy changes made by President Joe Biden in his final weeks in office, when he temporarily removed Cuba from the terrorism list as part of a prisoner exchange agreement. Current US policy targets financial transactions that might benefit President Miguel Díaz-Canel's government while claiming to support the Cuban people through expanded internet access and assistance to the private sector, though critics argue the sanctions disproportionately harm ordinary Cubans.
Cuba faces a severe humanitarian and demographic crisis, with over one million people having left the island since 2021, reducing the population from 11.3 million to an estimated 8.6 to 8.8 million. This unprecedented exodus, driven by economic collapse, political repression, deteriorating living conditions, and now the severing of Venezuelan support, has reshaped Cuban society. The migration flow is predominantly young and female, with new destinations including Brazil, Spain, and other Latin American countries as US legal pathways have been restricted. The Trump administration has terminated humanitarian parole programmes and imposed visa restrictions, pushing desperate Cubans towards irregular and dangerous migration routes.
The relationship has oscillated between engagement and isolation depending on the US administration in power. President Barack Obama took historic steps towards normalisation between 2015 and 2017, restoring diplomatic ties and easing restrictions. However, the Trump administration has taken the opposite approach, viewing increased pressure as the means to promote democratic change. The Cuban-American community, particularly in Florida, remains politically influential in shaping US policy, with divergent views between those favouring engagement and those supporting maximum pressure. Historical flashpoints—including the 1959 Revolution, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the Cuban Missile Crisis—continue to inform both nations' strategic calculations and mutual distrust.
Stay informed about the rapidly evolving dynamics of US-Cuba relations through our NewsNow feed, which provides comprehensive, up-to-date coverage from reliable sources. Whether you're interested in diplomatic developments, migration trends, economic sanctions, human rights concerns, or the complex interplay between American and Cuban politics, this feed offers timely updates on all aspects of this crucial bilateral relationship that continues to shape hemispheric affairs and remains at a critical juncture.