UN Chief Human Rights Officer: US Sanctions Against Cuba Put Lives at Risk

8 June 2026 Human rights

Fuel supply restrictions

“Fuel supply restrictions, introduced from the beginning of 2026, and the recent tightening of extraterritorial sanctions collectively directly harm the residents of Cuba, especially the most vulnerable population groups. Children are dying because doctors are deprived of access to essential medicines and medical supplies. This is unacceptable,” Tuerk stated. “These sanctions must be lifted immediately.”

The declaration of a state of emergency in the USA in January led to disruptions in fuel supplies to Cuba, which by mid-May significantly reduced the country’s fuel reserves. As a result, residents face daily power outages that often last more than 20 hours.

In May, additional sanctions were introduced, including extraterritorial measures against private companies – traders, insurance organizations, tourist and shipping companies, financial institutions, and other participants in fuel supplies, as well as organizations related to the energy, defense, mining, financial sectors, and the country’s security sphere.

Sanctions and human rights

According to the military commissioner, the combined effect of these measures significantly affects human rights, in particular the population’s access to vital goods and services, including water, food, and medical assistance.

It has become more difficult to provide the population with important medical services such as oncology assistance, dialysis, and maternal health care. According to the latest data in the field of public health, after the introduction of fuel restrictions, alarming trends were recorded: the infant mortality rate doubled to 9.9 cases per thousand births, while the survival rates of children with oncological diseases decreased from 85 to 65 percent. Supplies of life-saving medicines have been reduced by approximately 30 percent from the required amount.

Fuel shortage also disrupts the operation of the agro-food supply chain, which, according to available data, has led to a 60 percent decrease in food production and an increase in prices for basic products.

“Such large-scale sanction packages, targeted against entire sectors of the economy and leading to broad, indiscriminate, and severe consequences for the population, are incompatible with the fundamental principles of international law in the field of human rights,” said the head of the UN Human Rights Office.

Humanitarian activity

He emphasized that under any circumstances humanitarian activities must remain protected. However, many representatives of the private sector fear that the sanctions regime will be violated by introducing additional restrictions beyond legal requirements. This leads to new delays in procurement, transportation disruptions, and growing uncertainty in the humanitarian supply chains.

According to Tyurk, the combination of restrictive measures and operational obstacles also complicates the work of humanitarian organizations, including UN system structures, in providing essential aid. Recently, due to the refusal of major shipping companies to provide services out of risk considerations, deliveries of more than 2,900 metric tons of humanitarian food cargo have been at risk.

“Increasing isolation” of Cuba

“Cuba is facing increasing isolation. Companies are leaving. Fewer and fewer airlines are flying to the country. It is practically disconnected from international payment systems. The rise in temperatures can enhance the spread of diseases transmitted by vectors and water. The hurricane season further increases the risks. All of this creates a perfect storm for the social and economic deterioration of the situation and the suffering of the Cuban people,” said the Commissioner.

Private sector responsibility

Emphasizing that business also bears responsibility for respecting human rights, Türk called on companies and financial institutions to avoid excessive compliance with sanctions restrictions and the complete cessation of interaction. He recommended aligning with the UN Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Call to the authorities of Cuba

Considering the tension of the situation and the growing risk of social unrest in Cuba, he also called on the authorities to show maximum restraint and respect the rights to freedom of expression of opinions, associations, and peaceful assemblies.

In addition, the head of the UN Human Rights Office called on the Cuban government to release all arbitrarily detained persons, as well as to conduct a constructive dialogue and take measures to build trust to reduce social tension.