Geneva, June 8, 2026.- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Monday urged the immediate lifting of the sanctions imposed by the United States against Cuba, warning that their expansion is causing serious humanitarian consequences and endangering the lives of the Cuban people.
According to Türk, fuel supply restrictions implemented since the beginning of 2026, together with the tightening of extraterritorial sanctions, are severely affecting access to essential goods and services, particularly for the most vulnerable sectors of the population. He also stressed that the shortage of medicines and medical supplies is putting human lives at risk and described the situation as "unacceptable."
The High Commissioner indicated that these measures have deepened the country's energy crisis, causing prolonged blackouts and disrupting food production, health services and humanitarian operations. It also warned that sanctions generate broad and indiscriminate effects that are incompatible with the fundamental principles of international human rights law.
Türk urged companies and financial institutions to avoid over-compliance practices that further restrict humanitarian activities, and called for greater international cooperation to prevent a worsening of Cuba's social and economic situation.
(Cubaminrex)