Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, claimed on Wednesday that the Cuban population is experiencing hunger due to restrictions preventing their access to basic necessities, indirectly pointing fingers at U.S. policies targeting the island.
Lula expressed these views during the opening of the 39th FAO Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Brasília.
“Cuba isn’t facing hunger because it lacks production capabilities or energy resources. It’s because they are denied access to essentials everyone should have a right to,” the Brazilian leader asserted, using Cuba as an example to criticize global leaders who, according to him, favor defense spending over addressing hunger.
In his speech, Lula contrasted Cuba's plight with that of Haiti, arguing that if Cuba is neglected for ideological reasons—such as being labeled a "communist country"—then at least Haiti should be assisted. He described Haiti as "devastated" and overrun by gangs, facing a similar hunger crisis.
The Call for Change in Latin America
In this context, Lula urged Latin American and Caribbean nations to "wake up" and reject "submission," advocating instead for a sovereign approach to ensuring food security for their people.
He also proclaimed the region as a "zone of peace" and criticized the notion of preparing for war as a strategy for achieving peace.
The Brazilian president emphasized that persistent hunger is not due to climatic conditions but rather "irresponsibility and lack of commitment," stressing that it can only be eradicated through "political determination," according to reports.
As reported by EFE, Lula's statements come amid a fuel shortage crisis in Cuba, which he attributes to new "blockades" or pressures implemented by the Trump administration.
In this framework, on January 29, Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, arguing that the island poses a national security threat to the U.S.
Furthermore, energy pressures reportedly increased from January 3, when the U.S. announced it would cease Venezuelan oil supplies to the island following a military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro. Trump then urged Havana to negotiate "before it’s too late."
Understanding the Impact of U.S. Policies on Cuba
What did Lula claim about the cause of hunger in Cuba?
Lula claimed that the hunger in Cuba is due to external restrictions that prevent access to essential goods, not because of Cuba's inability to produce or generate energy.
How did Lula contrast Cuba's situation with Haiti's?
Lula compared Cuba's situation to Haiti's, suggesting that if Cuba is not supported because it is seen as a "communist country," then Haiti, which is devastated and overrun by gangs, should at least receive assistance.
What recent actions have increased energy pressures on Cuba?
Energy pressures on Cuba increased after the U.S. decided to stop supplying Venezuelan oil to the island, following a military operation that resulted in the capture of Venezuela's President, Nicolás Maduro.