On January 29, 2026 the fascist thug currently in the white house finally removed his mask. There can no longer be any illusion about the false idea of “embargo”. The world now sees the blockade for exactly what it is and what it has always been: a complete disregard for the UN charter, an act of war, a war crime, an act of ongoing genocide, and an example of the true nature of imperialism. But let us not forget even for an instant that this criminal attack is but another chapter in the 67 year long history of aggression against the heroic Cuban people and their struggle for peace, sovereignty and progress.

The Canadian Peace Congress once again emphatically condemns this criminal and ongoing blockade against the peace loving people of Cuba and calls on all peace loving people to step up solidarity support for the Cuban Revolution.  

This latest attack was designed to suffocate the Cuban people and their revolution and must be recognized as one with extremely serious consequences. The last oil shipment to the island was in December. Cuba produces about 40% of its petroleum needs and relies on imports for the other 60%. U.S. imperialism is intent on inflicting a brutal form of collective punishment on the Cuban people for the very serious “crime” of defending their sovereignty, of pursuing their own development path, and of promoting peace and solidarity throughout Latin America, the Caribbean and, indeed, the entire world. It is the bold example of the Cuban Revolution that poses the so-called “unusual and extraordinary threat” to US imperialism. Widening their attack to all other nations, the fascists regime in Washington threatens to impose punitive tariffs on any country that sends fuel to the island.

From wind to solar Cuba has made a concerted effort to shift to renewable energy. In 2025 solar power generation delivered about 25% or 1000 megawatts of its energy needs. The government plans to double output in 2026. However, the island needs over 4000 megawatts of power to provide for the needs of the population and the economy. 

Serious consequences facing the Cuban people include lack of power to:

1. Run public transportation.
2. Lack of power needed to run hospitals, schools, industries, water pumps, and refrigeration for food and medicine.
3. Lack of to provide for family needs such as cooking and lights in peoples homes.
4. Lack of power needed for distribution of food throughout the island
5. Lack of power needed in food production and processing.

Some specifics may be helpful. Higher education courses have been suspended due to power outages. Elementary and secondary education for children and youth is being prioritized. But the lengthy blackouts are also affecting these schools 

Vital services such as surgery, dialysis, and ambulances are affected. Medication for cancer treatments, diabetes, antibiotics all require refrigeration. There are 38,000 pregnant women who require careful follow-up and care including potential cesarean sections. Premature babies require incubators to keep them warm and cared for. Ventilators for premature babies and seriously ill adults require electricity.

The fuel blockade has also deliberately cut off one of Cuba’s main sources of foreign exchange: tourism. Numerous airlines have suspended flights to the island. This is true despite the fact the Mexico has offered to refuel planes destined for Cuba. Approximately 300,000 Cubans work in the tourist industry and many of their jobs will now be affected. There are, however, some hotels still operating. Tour operators such as COPA are still flying to Cuba.

The US government is pressuring numerous countries who have benefited from Cuban medical brigades to expel the health care teams thus cutting off another source of foreign currency.

Cuba faces other threats. On January 22, 2025 Trump placed Cuba back onto the infamous “State Sponsor of Terrorism” list. Think about this for a moment! Cuba sends out health and education brigades, provides quality education for medical students from around the world and has played a pivotal role in efforts to end conflicts in Latin America and around the world. 

There is a very long history of American terrorist attacks on Cuba. Among the most widely known are Kennedy administration’s Bay of Pigs invasion, Operation Mongoose, over 600 attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro, plans to carry out “false flag terror attacks in the USA and blame Cuba, the bombing of Cuban Flight 455 and the biological attack of 1981 which killed over 100 children. In fact  there are a total of 5,780 documented cases of terror attacks from the USA. Bruno Eduardo Rodriguez, Cuba’s Foreign Minister, was explicit about the high cost of such terrorism. 3,478 people have been killed and thousands more seriously injured over the many decades. Most recently, on February 25, 2026 another Florida based terrorist group attempted to infiltrate the island with weapons and explosives. 

Bruno Rodriguez has repeatedly declared that Cuba “unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms”. He also states clearly that the island does not, as is alleged by Washington, host any foreign military or intelligence installations on the island. As has been the case for decades Cuba has always been willing to work cooperatively with other nations (including the USA) in the field of counter terrorism.

As an aside, Clearly there are two states that should be on what I have termed the Peoples’ list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism”. USA and the fascist regime in Tel Aviv.

President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez spoke eloquently on February 24, 2026, the historic beginning of Cuba’s second war of independence led by the national hero and father of the island Jose Marti. Independence and self determination have been the goal of Cuba for 150 years and this pledge was renewed on a day with huge significance for all Cubans. The President reaffirmed that the Cuban people will defend their revolution and continue to make massive efforts in building a profoundly participatory democracy. It is the very fabric of Cuba’s sovereignty. This democratic foundation has been built and refined throughout the two major revolutionary periods including the war of independence led by Marti and the giant step forward to socialism led by Fidel. President Diaz-Canel Bermudez carefully traced the development of the Organs of People Power over five decades. He reflected on the desires of all Cubans who truly love their country saying “We will struggle, we will fight, we will resist, we will transform, and (above all imperial adversities and threats) we will rise and we will prevail!”

It cannot be over-emphasized that the humanitarian crisis facing Cuba is deliberately created by US imperialism. It is a crime against humanity.

What has been the response of the Cuban people and their revolutionary government? Very importantly the Cuban people have mobilized with mass actions in the streets both denouncing these latest acts of imperialist aggression and reaffirming their willingness to defend their sovereignty. Thousands marched to commemorate the fallen revolutionaries who defended Maduro in Venezuela. Significantly, numerous grass roots organizations have come out in support of Cuba’s ongoing struggle for sovereignty.

The Cuban Women’s organization has denounced this latest act of aggression and stated clearly that all the women of Cuba will defend their country and its revolution and their right to build a socialist future for their families.

The Central Workers’ Union of Cuba along with the National Association of Innovators and Rationalizers has “categorically rejected the new and brutal escalation”. They point out that the only justification for USA aggression is hatred against the heroic Cuban people and their revolution. They “reaffirm their aspiration to build (their society) in peace, without blockade or threats for the good of all that Jose Marti dreamed of and Fidel Castro made a reality! And it underlined their willingness to defend their nation “at whatever cost may be necessary”!

Cuba’s National Union of Cultural Workers’ vowed to “defend our sovereignty with the weapons of reason and art!”. They also called on the international cultural community to denounce this most recent aggression.

The Revolutionary Government has been very active in defence of Cuba. Aside from issuing clear denunciations of US aggression it issued a statement denouncing all the lies and falsehoods being used to attack Cuba. It outlines all the violations of international law and points out that U.S. imperialism is also violating the Proclamation of Latin America and the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace which was just one of the many efforts by Cuba and her neighbours to build peace in the region. On the diplomatic front the Cuban authorities have reached out across the globe to the numerous countries that respect and support Cuba. The country has received support and pledges from Canada, Spain, Chile, the Russian Federation and China. The Russian Federation is working on sending oil to the island.

A word about Canada’s aid to Cuba. About $8 million has been pledged. Of course even this small donation is welcomed but let’s be real here. It is a shameful, cowardly contribution. Canada has spent multiple billions in the NATO proxy war against the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Carney, like Trudeau, has no problem fighting Russia to the last Ukrainian. Today, just as in the decades past, Canada’s foreign policy is made in Washington despite all the babble coming from Carney and Anita Anand. The Canadian Peace Congress demands that Canada demonstrate its independence with actions not just words! Sending massive amounts of humanitarian aid including oil to Cuba to break the criminal blockade would be a great place to start.

So what can the Canadian people do? In the very first place Canadian residents can join one of the many chapters of Cuba Solidarity organizations belonging to the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC). If you do not have a chapter in your town or city you can organize one. Contact the CNC at https://canadiannetworkoncuba.ca. The CNC is currently raising badly needed funds to support the purchase of solar power generators and other important supplies for Cuba. In addition there is a crucial petitions and letter writing campaigns underway.

Another crucial action that people can take is to join your local chapter of the Canadian Peace Congress (CPCon). The struggle in support of Cuba’s sovereignty is clearly an anti imperialist struggle and that is the focus of CPCon. Three years ago the Congress sent a delegation of Cubans across the country on the Cuba Peace Tour.

Write and phone your MP and the PM and Foreign Minister demanding action in Support of Cuba. Call the airlines demanding for the resumption of flights to Cuba. Contact your union or association and your District Labour Council to get solidarity motions passed. Above all, Tell the truth about Cuba and her heroic struggle.

We must realize that what US imperialism is doing against Palestine, Venezuela, Iran, and Cuba is also an attack against Canadian sovereignty. Our solidarity is crucial and it is effective.

Down with US imperialism!
Down with the USA deliberately engineered humanitarian crisis in Cuba!
Cuba is not alone!
Cuba no esta sola!
Viva Cuba!

Executive Committee, Canadian Peace Congress
March 5th, 2026