Cuba has had a limited amount of oil since the start of 2026, and it is getting worse. The US has been preventing Cuba from getting oil by expanding its minimum pressure.

Cuba does not have the solar power that is strong enough to generate the energy they need because the other countries used to provide oil to Cuba, but the US stopped them by using high tariffs. In early January, the US military attacked Venezuela and captured its president. According to New For Kids, “Since then, the US has pressured Venezuela’s acting government to open its oil business to US companies.”

The US has also prevented Venezuela from selling oil to Cuba. The US has a long history of trying to pressure Cuba. The major reason is that Cuba’s communist government is friends with US opponents like Russia and China. Since the 1960s, the US has had a trade embargo on Cuba. That means US businesses are prevented from selling things to Cuba. Now it is clear that Mr. Trump wanted the current government of Cuba removed.

In late January, Trump has said that Cuba was a threat to him, so he would impose high tariffs on any country that sold oil to Cuba. According to News For Kids, “This put serious pressure on Mexico. Though Mexico has long had a strong relationship with Cuba, it canceled its next oil shipment to Cuba. However, Mexico says it will continue to send other aid and supplies to Cuba.” It caused many power outages in Cuba, so the government said the US actions are hurting people. In order to survive, people must get creative to survive since there is no fuel to cook food.