US President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a national security emergency due to the "threat" posed by the Cuban regime. The new document grants the White House administration unprecedented powers to impose economic pressure not only on Havana itself but also on its trading partners around the world. According to the order, the United States has been authorized to impose additional ad valorem duties on any goods from countries that directly or indirectly supply oil and petroleum products to the island. Washington calls this measure a necessary response to the "malign actions" of the Cuban government, including support for forces hostile to the United States, harboring terrorist groups, and close military-technical cooperation with Russia, specifically the operation of the largest foreign electronic intelligence facility.

Trump's decision is aimed at completely isolating Cuba's energy sector, which is already facing a severe crisis following the recent US operation to oust Nicolás Maduro from power in Venezuela, which cut off the main source of cheap oil supplies. The new sanctions mechanism presents key exporters, such as Mexico, which recently accounted for nearly 45% of Cuba's oil imports, with a stark choice. Amid threats from Washington, Mexican authorities have already announced a temporary suspension of fuel shipments in an attempt to avoid a tariff war with the US. Experts note that using import duties as a foreign policy tool transforms the fight against the Cuban regime into a global economic blockade, where any country that helps Havana overcome its fuel shortage risks losing access to the US market.