On September 18, 2025, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla presented a comprehensive report detailing the devastating effects of the U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade on Cuba. The report, covering the period from March 2024 to February 2025, revealed that the damages during this phase alone exceeded $7.556 billion, marking a 49% increase compared to the previous period. This surge is attributed to intensified measures aimed at crippling Cuba’s economy. Over six decades, the cumulative damage has reached a staggering $170.677 billion, equivalent to $2.103 trillion when adjusted for gold prices to account for dollar fluctuations. Rodríguez Parrilla emphasized that the blockade has inflicted profound emotional and economic suffering on Cuban families, with over 80% of the population born under its constraints. The policy has severely hindered access to advanced technologies, medicines, and essential supplies, exacerbating challenges in healthcare, transportation, and communications. The Cuban Foreign Minister also highlighted the U.S. government’s role in exacerbating migration flows, resulting in a loss of $2.57 billion in qualified personnel and workforce. He condemned the politically motivated measures, including Cuba’s inclusion on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism and the enforcement of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, as violations of international law. Rodríguez Parrilla called on the international community to mobilize in defense of international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter, reaffirming Cuba’s resilience and commitment to its constitutional order and socialist principles.
