Por Diana Block
 |
I met Adrián Heredia, the Second Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. at the Cuba Under Siege conference on March 14th in New York City. Adrián had recently assumed his role at the Cuban Embassy in January 2026, shortly before Trump issued his libelous Executive Order of January 29th which labeled Cuba a national security threat and instituted a total blockade on oil to Cuba. Since then, Adrián and his colleagues at the Embassy have been working continuously to break through the mountain of lies propagated by the edict.
Given the pressing need to combat disinformation and disseminate the perspectives and responses of the Cuban government, we discussed the possibility of an interview that could be published in CounterPunch, a journal that has consistently supported the Cuban revolution and given voice to Cuban diplomatic leaders such as Ricardo Alarcón. We offer this interview to enhance understanding and strengthen solidarity.
DB: Thank you for taking the time to clarify the perspective of the Cuban government on the escalating attacks against Cuba since January 29th. To begin with, what is your position at the Embassy and why do you think it’s important for you as part of the Embassy to do this interview now?
AH: I currently serve as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Cuba in Washington, D.C. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and as part of my Embassy position I am responsible for academic affairs, where I work to promote dialogue and cooperation with universities, research institutions, and academic organizations across the United States.
Given my role, I am closely engaged with spaces where informed discussion and critical thinking are essential. That is precisely why I believe it is important to speak at this moment. The current state of bilateral relations—and its very real consequences for the Cuban people—makes it necessary that perspectives grounded in our reality are heard and understood.
I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and to share our views with a broader audience.
DB: What are the main ways in which the U.S. has intensified its actions against Cuba since the beginning of 2026?
AH: Since the beginning of 2026, the United States has significantly escalated its campaign of political and economic pressure against Cuba. This has included not only hostile rhetoric but also concrete actions aimed at isolating our country and penalizing those who engage with us.
A clear example is the Executive Order of January 29, 2026, which designates Cuba as a so-called national security threat. This politically motivated decision serves as a pretext to intensify sanctions and expand coercive measures.
One of the most damaging aspects has been the direct pressure exerted on third countries to cut off fuel supplies to Cuba. As a result, our country has faced severe disruptions in fuel imports, with immediate and profound consequences for the daily lives of our people. From my perspective, this amounts to a form of collective punishment, intended not only to hinder development, but to make it increasingly difficult to sustain essential and everyday services for the population.
DB: What do you think are the primary reasons for this escalation?
AH: This policy is not new—it represents the continuation of a strategy that has been in place for more than six decades. Its underlying logic was clearly articulated from the outset: to generate economic hardship, foster dissatisfaction, and ultimately force political change in Cuba. This is evident with total clarity in the Lester Mallory Memorandum, drafted on April 6, 1960. What we are witnessing today is a more aggressive and more harmful application of that same approach.
Let us be clear: this policy is not directed solely at the Cuban government—it is designed to impact the Cuban people as a whole. It deliberately seeks to create shortages, hardship, and suffering as a means of political pressure. Its effects are felt across all sectors of society—women and men, children and the elderly alike—without distinction.
At the same time, the justification for this escalation lacks credibility. Cuba does not pose any threat to the United States. On the contrary, it has consistently acted as a responsible and cooperative partner on issues such as drug trafficking, migration, and global health. The Cuban people have even extended solidarity to the United States in times of crisis. The reality is that this policy cannot be explained by legitimate security concerns—it is, fundamentally, a political choice.
DB: What is the impact of the total blockade on oil on Cuban life, and how are Cubans coping?
AH: The impact is severe and undeniable. Fuel is not a luxury—it is essential for the functioning of society. Shortages affect electricity generation, transportation, food supply chains, and the healthcare system. Hospitals are forced to operate under extremely difficult conditions, postponing procedures and prioritizing only the most urgent cases. Thousands of patients, including children, are waiting for surgeries. This directly affects the ability to provide quality medical services. Infant mortality rates may inevitably be impacted, as even with prioritization, many medical procedures simply cannot be performed without electricity. Vaccination programs are delayed—not due to a lack of vaccines, but because fuel shortages hinder their distribution.
Patients undergoing life-saving treatments, such as cancer therapy or dialysis, are also affected. These outcomes are not accidental—they are the predictable consequences of a policy designed to exert maximum pressure on a civilian population.
DB: What has been the impact of the sanctions that Marco Rubio announced in February 2025 against countries contracting with Cuba’s renowned international medical brigades?
AH: The primary victims of these actions are the millions of people around the world who previously relied on adequate medical care made possible through Cuban medical cooperation who now often have no viable alternative. Cuba will continue to uphold its commitment to international solidarity and to providing assistance wherever it is needed, as demonstrated in our historic efforts such as the fight against Ebola in Africa and our response to COVID-19 in many parts of the world.
Our relationship with the peoples of the world goes beyond this cooperation and cannot be easily dismantled through political measures of this nature, which do not prioritize the well- being of those affected. I am confident that these bonds of solidarity and friendship will endure.
DB: What was the significance of the Nuestra América Convoy where over 600 people from around the globe converged in Havana on March 21st to bring humanitarian aid and express their heartfelt solidarity with Cuba?
AH: Such initiatives send a very clear message: Cuba is not alone. They reflect a growing international rejection of policies that seek to punish an entire people. They also demonstrate increasing global awareness that the situation facing Cuba is unjust and must be addressed by the international community.
At a time when misinformation is widespread, these acts of solidarity help bring greater truth, visibility, and balance to the public discourse.
DB: What are the most important ways for people in the U.S. to show solidarity with Cuba at this time?
AH: We do not believe it is our place to tell the people of the United States what they should do. However, we can affirm that acts of solidarity, in any form, are deeply valued by the Cuban People. There is a long-standing history of solidarity between the peoples of Cuba and the United States. That tradition continues today, and every voice advocating for a more just and rational policy contributes meaningfully.
DB: How should we respond to those in the U.S. who think that “it’s all over for Cuba?”
AH: That narrative has been repeated many times over the decades—and it has consistently been proven wrong. Cuba has faced sustained pressure, yet it has not relinquished its sovereignty or its social project. The current situation is challenging, but it is not unprecedented.
The Cuban people have demonstrated resilience, dignity, and a strong sense of national identity. Measures are being taken every day to confront these challenges and protect the most vulnerable.
Cuba will not yield! It will continue to defend its independence and its vision of a more just society, regardless of external pressure—even from a country as powerful as the United States.
Adrián Heredia is the Second Secretary with the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba in 2016 as a Political Analyst in the U.S. Division, where he focused on bilateral relations and policy analysis. In 2026, he was promoted to Second Secretary and received his first permanent overseas posting at the Cuban Embassy in the United States, where he is currently in charge of academic affairs.
Diana Block works with the Bay Area Cuba Saving Lives Committee. She is a founding and active member of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners , an abolitionist organization that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020. She is the author of a memoir, Arm the Spirit – A Woman’s Journey Underground and Back (AKPress 2009), and a novel, Clandestine Occupations – An Imaginary History (PM Press 2015). She writes for various online journals.
Given the pressing need to combat disinformation and disseminate the perspectives and responses of the Cuban government, we discussed the possibility of an interview that could be published in CounterPunch, a journal that has consistently supported the Cuban revolution and given voice to Cuban diplomatic leaders such as Ricardo Alarcón. We offer this interview to enhance understanding and strengthen solidarity.
DB: Thank you for taking the time to clarify the perspective of the Cuban government on the escalating attacks against Cuba since January 29th. To begin with, what is your position at the Embassy and why do you think it’s important for you as part of the Embassy to do this interview now?
AH: I currently serve as Second Secretary at the Embassy of Cuba in Washington, D.C. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and as part of my Embassy position I am responsible for academic affairs, where I work to promote dialogue and cooperation with universities, research institutions, and academic organizations across the United States.
Given my role, I am closely engaged with spaces where informed discussion and critical thinking are essential. That is precisely why I believe it is important to speak at this moment. The current state of bilateral relations—and its very real consequences for the Cuban people—makes it necessary that perspectives grounded in our reality are heard and understood.
I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to contribute to this conversation and to share our views with a broader audience.
DB: What are the main ways in which the U.S. has intensified its actions against Cuba since the beginning of 2026?
AH: Since the beginning of 2026, the United States has significantly escalated its campaign of political and economic pressure against Cuba. This has included not only hostile rhetoric but also concrete actions aimed at isolating our country and penalizing those who engage with us.
A clear example is the Executive Order of January 29, 2026, which designates Cuba as a so-called national security threat. This politically motivated decision serves as a pretext to intensify sanctions and expand coercive measures.
One of the most damaging aspects has been the direct pressure exerted on third countries to cut off fuel supplies to Cuba. As a result, our country has faced severe disruptions in fuel imports, with immediate and profound consequences for the daily lives of our people. From my perspective, this amounts to a form of collective punishment, intended not only to hinder development, but to make it increasingly difficult to sustain essential and everyday services for the population.
DB: What do you think are the primary reasons for this escalation?
AH: This policy is not new—it represents the continuation of a strategy that has been in place for more than six decades. Its underlying logic was clearly articulated from the outset: to generate economic hardship, foster dissatisfaction, and ultimately force political change in Cuba. This is evident with total clarity in the Lester Mallory Memorandum, drafted on April 6, 1960. What we are witnessing today is a more aggressive and more harmful application of that same approach.
Let us be clear: this policy is not directed solely at the Cuban government—it is designed to impact the Cuban people as a whole. It deliberately seeks to create shortages, hardship, and suffering as a means of political pressure. Its effects are felt across all sectors of society—women and men, children and the elderly alike—without distinction.
At the same time, the justification for this escalation lacks credibility. Cuba does not pose any threat to the United States. On the contrary, it has consistently acted as a responsible and cooperative partner on issues such as drug trafficking, migration, and global health. The Cuban people have even extended solidarity to the United States in times of crisis. The reality is that this policy cannot be explained by legitimate security concerns—it is, fundamentally, a political choice.
DB: What is the impact of the total blockade on oil on Cuban life, and how are Cubans coping?
AH: The impact is severe and undeniable. Fuel is not a luxury—it is essential for the functioning of society. Shortages affect electricity generation, transportation, food supply chains, and the healthcare system. Hospitals are forced to operate under extremely difficult conditions, postponing procedures and prioritizing only the most urgent cases. Thousands of patients, including children, are waiting for surgeries. This directly affects the ability to provide quality medical services. Infant mortality rates may inevitably be impacted, as even with prioritization, many medical procedures simply cannot be performed without electricity. Vaccination programs are delayed—not due to a lack of vaccines, but because fuel shortages hinder their distribution.
Patients undergoing life-saving treatments, such as cancer therapy or dialysis, are also affected. These outcomes are not accidental—they are the predictable consequences of a policy designed to exert maximum pressure on a civilian population.
DB: What has been the impact of the sanctions that Marco Rubio announced in February 2025 against countries contracting with Cuba’s renowned international medical brigades?
AH: The primary victims of these actions are the millions of people around the world who previously relied on adequate medical care made possible through Cuban medical cooperation who now often have no viable alternative. Cuba will continue to uphold its commitment to international solidarity and to providing assistance wherever it is needed, as demonstrated in our historic efforts such as the fight against Ebola in Africa and our response to COVID-19 in many parts of the world.
Our relationship with the peoples of the world goes beyond this cooperation and cannot be easily dismantled through political measures of this nature, which do not prioritize the well- being of those affected. I am confident that these bonds of solidarity and friendship will endure.
DB: What was the significance of the Nuestra América Convoy where over 600 people from around the globe converged in Havana on March 21st to bring humanitarian aid and express their heartfelt solidarity with Cuba?
AH: Such initiatives send a very clear message: Cuba is not alone. They reflect a growing international rejection of policies that seek to punish an entire people. They also demonstrate increasing global awareness that the situation facing Cuba is unjust and must be addressed by the international community.
At a time when misinformation is widespread, these acts of solidarity help bring greater truth, visibility, and balance to the public discourse.
DB: What are the most important ways for people in the U.S. to show solidarity with Cuba at this time?
AH: We do not believe it is our place to tell the people of the United States what they should do. However, we can affirm that acts of solidarity, in any form, are deeply valued by the Cuban People. There is a long-standing history of solidarity between the peoples of Cuba and the United States. That tradition continues today, and every voice advocating for a more just and rational policy contributes meaningfully.
DB: How should we respond to those in the U.S. who think that “it’s all over for Cuba?”
AH: That narrative has been repeated many times over the decades—and it has consistently been proven wrong. Cuba has faced sustained pressure, yet it has not relinquished its sovereignty or its social project. The current situation is challenging, but it is not unprecedented.
The Cuban people have demonstrated resilience, dignity, and a strong sense of national identity. Measures are being taken every day to confront these challenges and protect the most vulnerable.
Cuba will not yield! It will continue to defend its independence and its vision of a more just society, regardless of external pressure—even from a country as powerful as the United States.
Adrián Heredia is the Second Secretary with the Cuban Embassy in Washington, D.C. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba in 2016 as a Political Analyst in the U.S. Division, where he focused on bilateral relations and policy analysis. In 2026, he was promoted to Second Secretary and received his first permanent overseas posting at the Cuban Embassy in the United States, where he is currently in charge of academic affairs.
Diana Block works with the Bay Area Cuba Saving Lives Committee. She is a founding and active member of the California Coalition for Women Prisoners , an abolitionist organization that celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2020. She is the author of a memoir, Arm the Spirit – A Woman’s Journey Underground and Back (AKPress 2009), and a novel, Clandestine Occupations – An Imaginary History (PM Press 2015). She writes for various online journals.
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