United Nations human rights experts warned on Thursday that the international community must act swiftly to prevent Cuba from becoming a "silent Gaza" as US sanctions push the island toward a full-blown humanitarian crisis.
The specialists said an effective oil blockade imposed by Washington, including measures announced on July 23 targeting energy-sector companies, has paralysed energy, transport, and irrigation systems, triggering severe shortages and the country's third major nationwide blackout. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the policy as "political genocide", while Washington blames Havana's economic mismanagement. The experts, including special rapporteurs Zaina Jallad and Surya Deva, called on the US to end all threats to Cuban sovereignty and lift measures they say violate international law.