February 5, 2026executive orderforeign policyhumanitarian policyexecutive powersanctions and embargoesforeign policyexecutive powerhumanitarian policy
Trump sends Cuba humanitarian aid while enforcing oil embargo under EO 14380
On Feb. 5, 2026, the Trump administration announced $6 million in humanitarian aid for Cuba through the Catholic Church and Caritas, the same day the UN warned of humanitarian collapse. On Jan. 29, Trump signed Executive Order 14380 under IEEPA, threatening tariffs against any country selling oil to Cuba. Combined with his Dec. 2025 Venezuelan tanker blockade, the orders eliminated roughly 77% of Cuba's oil supply, triggering blackouts up to 20 hours daily — while the administration simultaneously distributed food aid the island lacked fuel to refrigerate or deliver.
Sources
Delivering Additional Humanitarian Support Directly to the Cuban PeopleUS announces $6M in aid for Cuba as island leader accuses it of imposing an energy blockadeFact Sheet: President Trump Addresses Threats to the United States by the Government of CubaNew executive order opens door to tariffs on countries selling oil to CubaUN warns of humanitarian collapse in Cuba