Cuba says US embargo caused record losses of more than $8 billion

Cuba has been under a U.S. trade embargo since 1962. A government report released by Cuba on the 7th showed that the U.S. embargo against Cuba caused "record" losses to Cuba of more than US$8 billion (approximately NT$253.4 billion) between March last year and February this year.

According to the "AFP" report, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez said that this number is 7% higher than the peak reached last year. He added that this figure does not include losses caused by the energy blockade imposed by the United States in January, nor does it include losses caused by secondary sanctions imposed on Cuban entities in May.

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Rodriguez emphasized that the U.S. blockade is not only punishing the Cuban government, but punishing the daily life of the Cuban people at all levels. Living conditions in Cuba are currently very harsh, with residents enduring frequent rolling blackouts and chronic food and fuel shortages every day.

Rodriguez noted that infant mortality rates have also increased in Cuba, indicating a deterioration in living standards. He said the infant mortality rate increased from 4 deaths per 1,000 births in 2018 to 9.9 deaths per 1,000 births in 2025.

Rodriguez stressed that Cuba remains in contact with the U.S. State Department, but ruled out the possibility of normalizing relations between the two countries. He claimed that Cuba was willing to continue dialogue even if the United States lacked willingness to talk.