Two U.S. lawmakers called for a long-term response to Cuba’s economic and energy problems after a five-day official visit to the island that ended Sunday.
Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal of Washington and Jonathan Jackson of Illinois met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and members of Parliament.
Díaz-Canel wrote on X on Monday that he had “denounced the criminal damage caused by the #blockade, particularly the consequences of the energy embargo imposed by the current U.S. administration and its threats of even more aggressive actions.” He added: “I reiterated our government’s willingness to engage in serious and responsible bilateral dialogue and find solutions to our existing differences.”
The United States and Cuba have recently acknowledged talks at the highest level, though neither side has released details.
Jayapal told reporters that recent steps by Cuba — including opening parts of the economy to some investments by Cuban Americans living abroad, announcing pardons for more than 2,000 prisoners, and allowing an FBI team to help investigate a fatal shooting involving a U.S.-flagged boat — “indicate that the moment is here for us to have a real negotiation between the two countries and to reverse the failed U.S. policy of decades, a Cold War remnant that no longer serves the American people or the Cuban people.”
Cuba has released the pardoned prisoners, who were accused of a range of crimes, though none so far appear to be political prisoners.
In late January, President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any country that sold or provided oil to Cuba, though he exempted a Russian ship that arrived last week with 730,000 barrels of crude oil. It was the first petroleum shipment in three months to reach Cuba, which produces only 40% of the oil it needs.
In a statement released Sunday, Jayapal and Jackson said: “This is cruel collective punishment — effectively an economic bombing of the infrastructure of the country — that has produced permanent damage. It must stop immediately.”
The lawmakers said fuel shortages had contributed to national blackouts, gasoline rationing, reduced public transportation, cuts in working hours, hospital disruptions, and flight suspensions. Russia has promised a second petroleum delivery, though it is unclear when it will arrive.
Jayapal said temporary shipments were not enough: “We need a longer, permanent solution for the Cuban people and the American people.”
Jackson said he would continue work on House initiatives to lift sanctions on Cuba, along with Jayapal, after they prepare a report on the trip.