State of the World from NPR Why Cuba is Watching Venezuela Intently
Dec 19, 2025
Leila Faddle, an NPR reporter based in Havana, delves into the complex relationship between Cuba and Venezuela amidst rising U.S. sanctions. She discusses how Venezuela is crucial for Cuba's economy, providing discounted oil and support. Cubans express their economic struggles with shortages and low wages, but interestingly, they reject any U.S. intervention despite their frustrations. Faddle also touches on the shifting political landscape in Latin America, highlighting how regional alliances are affecting Cuba's already isolating position.
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Venezuela Is Cuba's Lifeline
- Venezuela is Cuba's key economic and political lifeline, supplying deeply discounted oil and critical support.
- U.S. naval moves against Venezuelan oil threaten Cuba's fuel and foreign-currency access, worsening an acute economic crisis.
Official Response: 'Diabolical' Blockade
- Cuban official Alejandro Garcia del Toro called the U.S. naval blockade "diabolical" and an aggression that violates international law.
- He argued the U.S. aims to topple Nicolás Maduro and, by extension, destabilize Cuba's government.
Everyday Hustle And Hardship
- Everyday Cubans hustle multiple jobs, like engineers selling produce or doctors cleaning Airbnbs to survive.
- A security guard earns 2,000 pesos while a dozen eggs costs 1,500, showing wages can't cover basics.