Cuba Condemns US ‘Collective Punishment’ as Trump Predicts Deal

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez has condemned the United States’ oil blockade against Cuba, describing it as an “act of collective punishment” aimed at triggering a humanitarian crisis in the country.

Rodríguez made the comments on Saturday, September 26, 2026, during his address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, as tensions between Washington and Havana remain high.

His remarks came after US President Donald Trump predicted that the United States and Cuba would reach an agreement, while saying he did not believe military action would be necessary.

“I would say that Cuba and us will make a deal,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I don’t think we’ll need the military. Cuba is failing very badly. We want to help Cuba.”

Rodríguez said Cuba remained willing to engage in negotiations with Washington, but insisted that any talks must respect the principle of sovereign equality and take place without preconditions.

“We have always been and will always be prepared for dialogue with the government of the United States in order to try to find solutions to the various bilateral differences that we have,” he said.

Addressing the possibility of US military intervention, Rodríguez warned that such action would cause extensive destruction.

“Let’s hope that this never happens,” he said.

Earlier in the week, Trump described Cuba as an “absolutely failed state” during his own UN address and said that “freedom will be coming” to the island. Cuba’s delegation walked out of the hall during his speech.

The United States has maintained an economic embargo against Cuba for more than six decades. The Trump administration has also previously called for changes to Cuba’s government.

Since earlier this year, Washington has additionally imposed an oil blockade that Cuba says has contributed to severe fuel shortages and continuing nationwide power blackouts. Cuban officials have also linked the situation to difficulties in providing food and other basic necessities to the population.

The US measures have faced criticism from countries including Brazil, Mexico and Pakistan, which have called for an end to the embargo and oil blockade and opposed unilateral economic restrictions against Cuba.

Since 1992, the UN General Assembly has repeatedly and overwhelmingly adopted resolutions calling for an end to the US economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba.