Democrat lawmakers demand end to ‘cruel’ US energy blockade after visit to Cuba

Two Democratic U.S. lawmakers have urged an end to what they described as a “cruel” and illegal energy blockade on Cuba, highlighting the deepening humanitarian crisis during a five-day visit. Representatives Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Jonathan Jackson of Illinois met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel , Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and Parliament members to witness the effects of the U.S. energy sanctions firsthand.

In a joint statement, the lawmakers condemned the embargo as economic bombing causing blackouts, gasoline rationing, transport paralysis, healthcare disruptions, and canceled flights . Jayapal said recent Cuban steps economic openings for Cuban American investment, pardoning thousands of prisoners, and cooperation with a Federal Bureau of Investigation team signal readiness for real negotiations to replace decades-old Cold War policies.

Jackson compared the blockade to international energy restrictions, noting that Cuba is “one of the most sanctioned places on Earth” and stressed that the Western Hemisphere deserves the same stable energy flows advocated globally.

The visit coincided with public protests in Havana, where activists used bicycles and electric tricycles to highlight the impact of fuel shortages. Cuban officials have also linked long-term power outages to halted oil imports from Venezuela under U.S. pressure, leaving millions without electricity. A Russian shipment of over 700,000 barrels of crude oil last month provided only temporary relief.

Jayapal and Jackson pledged to prepare a detailed report and work with colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives to lift sanctions and ease the humanitarian crisis , emphasizing that dialogue and cooperation, not coercion, should guide U.S.–Cuba relations.