Cuba has stood with the people of the world! We must now stand with Cuba!
Statement of the National Committee of the Association of
United Ukrainian Canadians on the growing humanitarian crisis in Cuba
Winnipeg, February 8, 2026: The Association of United Ukrainian Canadians (AUUC) condemns in the strongest terms the illegal and inhumane blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba since 1960. The U.S. has intensified its aggression against Cuba with U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order of January 29th imposing sanctions on countries that sell oil to Cuba.
The two major oil exporters to Cuba are Mexico and Venezuela. These exports have stopped. Mexico in response to Trump’s executive order and Venezuela following the United States seizure of Nicholas Maduro and taking control of its oil exports.
The increased sanctions through a blockade on oil infringe on Cuba’s sovereignty; aiming for regime change through collective punishment of the Cuban people.
U.S. sanctions have stood in the way of Cuba’s right to self determination and have obstructed Cuba’s ability to develop. The Trump administration is attempting to construct famine-like conditions by plunging the country into a complete energy blackout. The U.S. actions are making daily living increasingly more difficult and have restricted the regular functioning of hospitals, schools and workplaces. In recent days airlines have indicated they will stop flying to Cuba because no jet fuel is available in the country. The increased sanctions, backed by naval and military enforcement, is a new low in Washington’s strategy of economic asphyxiation.
Trump’s executive order makes the false claim that Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism. Nothing could be further from the truth. Cuba has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to humanitarianism, most notably its international medical mission program which sends thousands of doctors abroad. Cuba has been a leader in multilateralism with the focus on peace and non-intervention in a time of rising global tensions. The AUUC recognizes Cuba’s support for the people of Ukraine, particularly its role in treating children from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.
The AUUC calls on the Government of Canada and all Canadians, to condemn the US blockade of Cuba and its recent embargo on oil as a collective punishment of the Cuban population, sure to result in suffering and death.
Furthermore, we call for Canada to cease any military cooperation in the US encirclement of Cuba, including the deployment of the HMCS Yellowknife on “Operation CARIBBE”.
Additionally, we call on the Canadian government to initiate immediate humanitarian aid to Cuba along with building closer economic and diplomatic ties without coercive political pre-conditions.
Cuba has stood with the people of the world! We must now stand with Cuba!
AUUC National Committee, Winnipeg, Manitoba, February 8, 2026