Children are dying as US sanctions push Cuba to the brink of collapse, the UN human rights chief has warned

“The fuel restrictions in place from the start of 2026 and the recent tightening of extraterritorial sanctions, taken together, are a good thing directly harming the Cuban people, especially the most vulnerable groups,” said Mr. Türk.

“Children are dying because doctors do not have access to critical medical supplies and medicines. This is unacceptable.”

Rapid decline

Conditions on the island have deteriorated sharply since Washington declared a national emergency in January, disrupting fuel deliveries and sending Cuba’s oil reserves plummeting. In mid-May, daily power outages often exceeded 20 hours.

Additional sanctions imposed in May – some of which are extraterritorial, targeting traders, insurance companies, shipping companies and financial institutions – have exacerbated the crisis, weakening access to water, food and basic health services.

Human Rights Office, OHCHRciting alarming figures: the infant mortality rate doubled to 9.9 per 1,000 births; childhood cancer survival rates have fallen from 85 to 65 percent; and essential medicines are only available at around 30 percent of normal supply levels.

Fuel shortages have hit food production output reportedly fell 60 percent and prices of staple foods rose sharply.

‘Indiscriminate and rude’

Mr. Türk is unsparing in his legal assessment. “A heavy sanctions package that targets all sectors of the economy and produces broad, indiscriminate and harsh impacts on society is not in accordance with the basic principles of international human rights law,” he said.

Humanitarian operations are also under pressure. Risk-averse private companies are implementing restrictions beyond legal requirements, disrupting supply chains and delaying procurement.

The suspension of services by major shipping companies has impacted more than 2,900 metric tons of humanitarian food cargo.

“Cuba faces increasing isolation. The company is leaving. Fewer airlines fly to the country. It is virtually disconnected from international payment systems. Rising temperatures in summer risk increasing the spread of vector-borne and water-borne diseases.

‘Respect civil liberties’

“Hurricane season further increases exposure. This creates a perfect storm that causes social and economic decline and suffering for the Cuban people,” Türk said.

He also asked the business world to avoid blanket disengagement by implementing this policy UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and urges Cuban authorities to exercise restraint, respect civil liberties and release all those arbitrarily detained.