Recently, global news agencies Reuters and EFE highlighted an exclusive report by CiberCuba concerning the escalating logistical crisis in Cuba due to the latest sanctions imposed by the United States.
On May 14, CiberCuba exclusively disclosed that major international shipping lines were beginning to halt operations involving the island, fearing repercussions from the Executive Order signed by President Donald Trump on May 1.
A few days later, Reuters verified this information in a report by journalists Gus Trompiz, Christoph Steitz, and Dave Sherwood. The agency noted that companies CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd had suspended cargo bookings to and from Cuba "following the U.S. executive order," explicitly acknowledging that the news was "first reported by online media outlet CiberCuba."
Reuters further reported that the temporary halt in new operations might disrupt up to 60% of Cuba's maritime merchandise traffic, especially affecting imports from China and Europe.
Similarly, EFE published a comprehensive report on the shipping companies' decision, emphasizing that CiberCuba initially broke the news. According to EFE, the companies took preventive measures while assessing the extent of the U.S. sanctions and their potential impact on operations linked to the military conglomerate GAESA.
Executive Order 14404, signed by Trump, extends sanctions against strategic sectors of the Cuban economy and includes measures against foreign entities that financially, materially, or technologically collaborate with structures controlled by the regime.
The effects of these restrictions are already evident in key areas of the Cuban economy. Besides energy challenges and chronic shortages of basic goods, the potential decline in international maritime transport threatens to further exacerbate the supply crisis on the island.
The international response to this exclusive highlights CiberCuba's significant role in covering issues related to Cuba, international sanctions, and the economic impact on the state apparatus controlled by GAESA.
Reuters and EFE have validated the information initially reported by CiberCuba. Their subsequent coverage confirmed the main points: the suspension of maritime bookings, the shipping lines' fear of U.S. sanctions, and the increasing international pressure on companies connected to the Cuban military conglomerate.
Reuters even directly cited CiberCuba as the first outlet to report the shipping companies' decision, an uncommon practice in international coverage of Cuba that underscores the impact of the original investigative journalism by this media outlet.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba's Logistics
What led to the logistical crisis in Cuba?
The logistical crisis in Cuba was primarily triggered by new U.S. sanctions, outlined in Executive Order 14404, which led to major international shipping companies halting operations with the island.
Which companies have suspended cargo bookings to Cuba?
CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd have suspended cargo bookings to and from Cuba in response to the U.S. executive order.
What are the potential impacts of the shipping suspension on Cuba?
The suspension could affect up to 60% of Cuba's maritime merchandise traffic, severely impacting imports from key partners like China and Europe, thereby worsening the island's supply crisis.