Canada Weighs Assistance for Cuba Amid Escalating U.S. Oil Sanctions

Canada’s federal government says it is preparing a plan to assist Cuba as the island nation faces mounting energy shortages linked to renewed U.S. oil sanctions.

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed Ottawa is developing options to provide support but did not outline what form the assistance might take. Her comments come as Cuba grapples with prolonged power outages and rising food prices following U.S. measures aimed at restricting oil supplies from Venezuela and other sources.

The sanctions were imposed under the administration of former U.S. president Donald Trump, which tightened restrictions on Cuba’s access to fuel. The United Nations has warned that without stable energy supplies, the situation could escalate into a broader humanitarian crisis affecting essential services, including hospitals and food distribution systems.

Canada’s consideration of support comes at a sensitive time in Canada–U.S. relations. Ottawa and Washington have recently clashed over tariffs and foreign policy rhetoric, including comments by Prime Minister Mark Carney urging middle powers to work together in response to shifting global influence dynamics.

Canada has historically maintained diplomatic and trade relations with Cuba, even when the United States imposed sweeping embargoes. Any new assistance plan would likely be assessed in the context of humanitarian need, international law and Canada’s broader foreign policy objectives.