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By Brendan Cole
Senior Reporter
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Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has condemned the Trump administration’s policy toward Cuba as the country faces fuel shortages amid Washington’s maximum pressure strategy.
Ocasio-Cortez made the comments as the Communist-ruled island faces economic pain following President Donald Trump’s move to impose tariffs on any country that supplies it with oil.
"This is what we've seen with Gaza," she said in a clip posted on X by MeidasTouch as she described a new "era of depravity" where the West looks the other way while innocent civilians bear the brunt of punishment that is aimed at their rulers.
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"What we are seeing here is the possible precipice of hospitals running out of fuel," she said.
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"I think it's incumbent upon all of us to defend human rights, no matter where," she added.
Ocasio-Cortez has accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza during its war against Hamas that followed the attacks of October 7, 2024.
On January 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, formally declaring a national emergency on Cuba that he has deemed an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy.
This put further pressure on the island's rulers after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, ordered by Trump, which cut off its energy lifeline from its main regional ally. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum, who had backed continuing oil supplies, has also halted its deliveries to Cuba.
The Trump administration has also reinstated and expanded the Cuba Restricted List, targeting entities tied to Cuban military and intelligence services, reversed Biden‑era easing of sanctions, travel licenses, and remittance rules and reaffirmed support for the long‑standing U.S. embargo, opposing U.N. calls to end it.
The Trump administration says these are intended to deny revenue to the regime in Havana, even if they increase short‑term economic pain. Cuba's officials have told airlines they are no longer able to refuel planes arriving on the island.
This comes amid reports that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is telling Trump that high-level talks are taking place with Cuban officials, although doubts have been expressed about the existence of any such talks.
Drop Site News reported that the scenario is part of Rubio's scheme to overthrow the Havana regime, although the U.S. State Department denied these claims, saying Washington was "talking to Cuba, whose leaders should make a deal."
"Cuba is a failing nation whose rulers have had a major setback with the loss of support from Venezuela and with Mexico ceasing to send them oil," the State Department added.
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