Cuba Resists US Economic Pressure

The United States has intensified economic pressure on Cuba in an effort to force political and economic changes.

President Donald Trump stated at a campaign rally in Florida on Friday that the US would return from Iran to deal with the island nation. He described a scenario where American ships would stop approximately 50 yards off the Cuban coast, prompting Cuban officials to raise their hands in surrender.

The administration has expanded sanctions to historic levels and cut off oil supplies needed for the island's failing electrical grid. Officials say the US will maintain this pressure until Cuba opens its political system, allows more exile investment, and ends alliances with Russia and China.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla told reporters last week that the island has resisted destabilization efforts despite the harsh conditions. He asserted that US policies must change, regardless of which administration is in power.

Diplomatic friction continued at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday. US Ambassador Mike Waltz told Rodriguez Parrilla, who attempted to interrupt a speech, to back away because the location was not Havana.

Economic inequality on the island has widened sharply. A small group of importers has accumulated wealth by finding loopholes in the embargo and Cuban controls to sell gasoline and food. Meanwhile, many citizens struggle with basic needs.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted on social media on Friday that now is the time for those seeking positive change in Cuba to partner with the CIA. He cited corruption and the privileged lifestyles of a few as reasons for the push.

Carlos Fernandez de Cossio, Cuba's top diplomat for US affairs, responded to the post by saying the US is resorting to public recruitment ads. He joked that the agency must be desperate if it has to sell its offerings like toothpaste.

Retired construction worker Armando Ruiz stood in line at a government bank recently, three hours before opening, to collect his pension. He receives 3,900 pesos monthly, which converts to less than five dollars at black market rates.

Ruiz stated that the money is only enough to buy a little food. He asked how long the current situation can continue as power outages persist in his neighborhood.