Maria Zakharova on Cuba

🎙Russia’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s answer (https://mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/2075224/) to a media question regarding the plans of the US administration to tighten the blockade of Cuba (January 28, 2026)

❓ Question: A number of media reports, citing sources within the US administration, claim that Washington allegedly plans to further step up pressure on Cuba, including the introduction of a naval blockade of the island to completely cut off oil supplies. How would you comment on this?

💬 Maria Zakharova: Such “leaks” are deeply concerning, particularly against the backdrop of the forcible abduction by the US in early January (https://t.me/MFARussia/27937) – in blatant violation of the fundamental norms and principles of international law – of the incumbent President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro, and his spouse.

This is all the more alarming given that representatives of the US administration have repeatedly issued threats against Cuba, including openly declaring their readiness to “blow everyone up there”, while simultaneously pressuring Havana to enter into some kind of a “deal”.

As is well known, for nearly 70 years Cuba has endured the severe pressure of an illegitimately imposed economic, trade and financial blockade (https://t.me/MFARussia/27082) enforced by Washington. The US continues to resort to every conceivable pretext to tighten this blockade further, including by placing Cuba on the odious list of so-called “state sponsors of terrorism”.

In this context, we hope that these reports are unfounded and devoid of any real basis.

Common sense must prevail in Washington as well. Otherwise, this would constitute yet another flagrant violation of international law – elevating US domestic legislation and its unilateral sanctions regime above universally recognized international legal norms, inflicting inhumane harm on the dignified life of Cuban citizens, and deliberately provoking a humanitarian crisis on the island.

✊ Our solidarity with the Cuban people and the leadership of brotherly Cuba remains unwavering.