Trending Now - Cuba's Trade Declines Amid Increased U.S. Pressure

WHO:

President Donald Trump

President Miguel Díaz-Canel of Cuba

Nicolás Maduro, former President of Venezuela

Ian Ralby, head of I.R. Consilium

John Kavulich, president of the U.S.-Cuba Trade and Economic Council

Marco Rubio, Secretary of State

John Felder, owner of Premier Automotive Export

WHAT:

Trump stated he believes he’ll have “the honor of taking Cuba” soon.

Trade with Cuba has collapsed, with no foreign-originating tankers arriving in March 2026.

The volume of port calls to Cuba fell from an average of 50 per month in 2025 to just 11 in March 2026.

Cuba produces only 40% of the oil needed to cover its energy needs.

U.S. exports to Cuba, including poultry and pork, reached $490 million in 2025, the highest since 2009.

The U.S. has threatened tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba.

The State Department sent $3 million in humanitarian assistance to Cuba in January 2026.

WHERE:

Cuba

Miami, Florida

Locations of tankers, including China, India, and the Netherlands

WHEN:

March 2026

January 3rd, 2026, when the U.S. military ousted Maduro

January 2026, when the State Department sent humanitarian assistance

2025, when U.S. exports to Cuba peaked at $490 million

WHY:

The U.S. aims to force regime change in Cuba following the ousting of Maduro.

Trump’s administration seeks to apply pressure on the Cuban Communist Party leadership.

HOW:

The U.S. has implemented an all-but-declared naval siege on Cuba.

Trump signed an executive order to block Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba.

The U.S. has maintained a presence of warships in the Caribbean.

(UPDATED March 19, 2026 23:12 UTC)

In a significant statement, Trump expressed his belief that he will soon have “the honor of taking Cuba,” as trade with the island nation has collapsed, with no foreign tankers arriving this month and port calls plummeting from an average of 50 per month last year to just 11 in March 2026. The U.S. has taken a hard stance, threatening tariffs on any country supplying oil to Cuba, which currently produces only 40% of its energy needs, while the State Department sent $3 million in humanitarian assistance in January. This push for regime change follows the ousting of Nicolás Maduro in January, and the U.S. has maintained a naval presence in the Caribbean to enforce an effective blockade.