US sanctions pushing Cuba into full-blown crisis: UN experts

GENEVA, Aug 6: United Nations rights experts on Thursday warned the international community to act swiftly to prevent US sanctions pushing Cuba into a "full-blown crisis".

While Cuba has been under a US trade embargo since 1962, President Donald Trump has drastically ramped up pressure in recent months, cutting off fuel supplies and threatening to take over the island.

Washington's imposition of an effective oil blockade and other sanctions have worsened economic conditions, led to major shortages and contributed to widespread power outages.

Energy, transport, irrigation and basic services are failing, disproportionately affecting women, children, older persons and other vulnerable groups, the UN experts said in a statement.

"The humanitarian consequences are already unfolding into a full-blown crisis, threatening the rights to health, to life, to food and to development," they said.

Since Washington launched its energy blockade in January, living conditions on the Caribbean island have worsened markedly.
For millions of Cubans, getting water and food, getting around and even sleeping through the night have become daily challenges.

They said UN agencies in Cuba had warned of mounting risks of food insecurity and shortages of medicines and basic necessities.�" AFP