South African anti‑apartheid activist and Anglican priest Michael Lapsley has accused the United States of worsening Cuba’s humanitarian crisis, citing severe fuel shortages, rolling blackouts and disruptions to water, factories and medicine production.
Lapsley made the remarks after returning from Havana where he said he witnessed dire conditions marked by empty roads, prolonged electricity outages and limited access to basic foods.
“The United States is actively strangling Cuba. This is a collective punishment of a whole country since the triumph of the revolution,” he told local media.
He accused Washington of inflicting “a genocide without bombs,” saying the situation has “become immeasurably worse in the last six months,” with the sanctions preventing humanitarian assistance and forcing Cuban families to cut meals.
Washington has maintained an embargo on Cuba since 1962.
In January, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over Cuba and tightened restrictions, blocking oil tankers and threatening tariffs against suppliers.
By May, Cuba’s energy minister reported the country had run out of diesel and fuel oil, leaving it reliant on domestic gas and facing island‑wide blackouts.
Delegates from 63 countries attended the Havana colloquium marking Fidel Castro’s centenary where Lapsley called for an end to the blockade.
Lapsley, honorary life president of South Africa’s Friends of Cuba Society, urged governments, solidarity movements and faith organisations to support Cuba.
“From the beginning, Cuba has fought for other countries, such as South Africa, Angola and Namibia. Now, the world needs to come to their support.”
JN/APA