The US Blockade on Cuba

By Adam Kendal on May 28, 2025

For many Canadians, the US blockade on Cuba is thought to be a relic of the Cold War, either a product of the Soviet era or something eased under Obama’s “Cuban thaw.” This misconception allows American imperialism to go unchecked and obscures the enduring reality of one of the longest and most inhumane economic wars in modern history. In truth, the US blockade is still in full force, and under the Trump administration, it has become even more aggressive, tightening its stranglehold on the Cuban people.

The origins of US imperialist aggression

In 1959, the Cuban Revolution ended decades of US-backed exploitation. The revolutionary government, committed to the liberation of Cuba from imperialism and the establishment of socialism, faced immediate hostility from the United States. In 1960, the US imposed an economic blockade, aiming to starve the Cuban people into submission and topple the government. The blockade was codified by the Cuban Trade Act of 1962 and the Helms-Burton Act of 1996, making it a legal fixture of US policy that has remained intact ever since.

The blockade wasn’t just about punishing Cuba, it sent a clear message to the world: challenge US hegemony, and you’ll face isolation, economic ruin, and threats of violence. This is the true legacy of US imperialism, protecting capitalist interests at the expense of sovereignty and self-determination.

The myth of the blockade’s end

It’s easy to think the blockade is no longer relevant, especially after Obama’s attempts at diplomacy with Cuba. However, his historic opening of diplomatic relations didn’t end the blockade; it only eased certain restrictions. While travel, remittances, and some trade were permitted in a limited capacity, the core of the blockade, financial and trade restrictions, remained in place. Only the U.S. Congress, not the President, can reverse the blockade. Obama also importantly removed Cuba from the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list.

Obama’s approach, though a step forward, was primarily about opening Cuba to US business interests while maintaining pressure on the island’s government. The blockade stayed intact, and Cuba continued to face severe shortages of food, medicine, and essential technologies. But the thaw in relations was welcomed by the Cuban government and the rest of the world.

Trump’s escalation of imperialist hostility

Under Trump, the blockade didn’t just persist, it intensified. Trump’s administration rolled back Obama’s limited concessions and implemented harsher sanctions. One key move was placing Cuba back on the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list in 2020, a designation that further isolated the island. While this designation had no legitimate basis, it was a political tool designed to tighten the economic grip on Cuba and extend US control over Latin America.

Being on the “State Sponsors of Terrorism” list made it even more difficult for Cuba to access international financial systems, as global institutions were pressured to sever ties with Cuban entities. Any country or company doing business with Cuba risked facing US sanctions, further isolating the island from the global economy. The designation also severely restricted Cuba’s ability to participate in international credit markets, receive foreign investment, or conduct transactions in US dollars.

Another critical aspect of the blockade is the total ban on items produced anywhere in the world that contain more than 10 percent US-origin components. This has made it nearly impossible for Cuba to access advanced technology, machinery, and raw materials crucial to sectors like healthcare, agriculture, energy, consumer goods and manufacturing.

The human cost of the blockade

The human cost of the blockade is staggering. Cuba’s achievements in healthcare, education, social services and more are overshadowed by the daily struggle to meet basic needs. The blockade prevents Cuba from accessing the resources it needs to function as a sovereign nation, causing regular shortages of food, medicine, and essential goods.

Cuba’s world-renowned healthcare system, while innovative, has been hit hard by the blockade. Despite developing its own COVID-19 vaccine, Cuba faces significant challenges due to a lack of access to critical medical supplies and technology. The blockade has made it increasingly difficult for Cuba to maintain the level of healthcare it wants for its people.

The effects go beyond the economic. The blockade fosters social and psychological hardship, limiting the potential of Cubans to live and work freely. Yet, despite everything, Cuba stands defiant, holding firm to the principles of the revolution.

The successes of the Cuban Revolution

Despite the crippling effects of the blockade, Cuba has achieved remarkable successes in areas like healthcare, education, and housing. These victories, made possible by the revolutionary government’s commitment to social justice, are a testament to the resilience of the Cuban people.

• Healthcare: Cuba has built a healthcare system that is universally accessible and widely regarded as one of the best in the world, even with the ongoing limitations caused by the blockade. Life expectancy in Cuba is comparable to that of developed nations, and the country has consistently sent doctors and medical professionals to countries in need. Cuba developed its own vaccines, including the first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine in the region, which has been distributed not only within Cuba but also to other countries in need of assistance.
• Education: The Cuban Revolution completely transformed the country’s education system, making education free and accessible to all. Cuba has one of the highest literacy rates in the world, with a focus on critical thinking, science, and technology. Cuba has also established programs that provide scholarships to students from other countries, particularly from the Global South, enabling many to access quality education they would not have otherwise received.
• Housing: After the revolution, Cuba began significant housing reforms, eliminating the inequities of the pre-revolutionary system. Today, Cuba provides housing to its citizens, and the government has prioritized initiatives to improve living conditions, despite the economic challenges created by the blockade.

These accomplishments reflect the power of Cuba’s socialist project and demonstrate what can be achieved when a nation prioritizes the well-being of its people over the profits of multinational corporations.

Solidarity with Cuba: Standing against imperialism

In Canada, we must challenge the myth that the blockade is a thing of the past. The US blockade on Cuba is an ongoing attack on the sovereignty of the Cuban people, a direct reflection of imperialist violence, and a harsh reminder of the lengths the US will go to preserve global dominance. It’s time to act in solidarity with Cuba, not just in words, but through concrete actions.

Some of the ways we can contribute to the struggle for Cuban sovereignty include putting pressure on our government to take a clear stand against the US’s illegal blockade, join movements that support Cuba’s right to self-determination, and educate others about the ongoing brutality of the blockade.

As workers and socialists, Cuba’s struggle is our struggle. The fight to end the US blockade is not just a fight for Cuba, it is a fight against imperialism and for the dignity of all oppressed peoples around the world.

Source: Spring Magazine