MIAMI, United States. – The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, expressed concern about the deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Cuba and warned that it could worsen critically if the Island fails to guarantee the supply of oil.
The warning was broadcast this Wednesday by its spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, when answering questions about the impact of restrictions and pressures linked to fuel.
“The Secretary General is very concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba, which will worsen – if not collapse – if its oil needs are not met,” Dujarric said.
The United Nations again called on the United States to end the embargo and urged the parties to “pursue dialogue” and “respect international law.” The spokesperson also pointed out that UN personnel on the island have confirmed the effects of the lack of fuel and that the organization “is working with the Government to alleviate the situation.”
The UN declaration occurs in a context of greater pressure from Washington on energy supplies to Cuba.
Last week, the president of the United States, donald trumpsigned an executive order that declares a “national emergency” with respect to Cuba, considering that “the policies, practices and actions” of Havana constitute “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.
In response to the emergency, Washington established a “tariff system” that would allow the imposition of an additional tax on imports from countries that “sell” or “provide” oil to Cuba, directly or indirectly.
The executive order signed by Trump contemplates that, if the Government of Cuba or another affected country “takes significant steps” to address the emergency and “sufficiently aligns” with the United States on national security and foreign policy, the president “may modify” the order.
The order defines “petroleum” as “crude oil or petroleum products,” and specifies that “indirectly” includes selling or providing oil to Cuba “through intermediaries or third countries,” with the knowledge that that oil “may be provided to Cuba,” as determined by the Secretary of Commerce.
