Cuban diplomat Carlos de Cossio, the deputy foreign minister, has condemned the US for enforcing a tough oil blockade on Cuba. He called it a "massive punishment" that hurts Cuba’s transportation, medical services, schools, energy, food production, and living standards. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "To be clear: a. Cuba requires importing fuel. b. The US is applying threats & coercive measures to any country that provides it. c. Lack of fuel harms transportation, medical services, schooling, energy, production of food, the standard of living. d. Massive punishment is a crime." He referenced the Fourth Geneva Convention, which bans collective penalties and intimidation. Cuba depended heavily on oil from Venezuela, but supplies stopped after Venezuela's leader Nicolás Maduro was captured by US forces last month. After that, Cuba turned to Mexico for fuel. However, the Trump administration warned Mexico of "additional tariffs" if they supply oil to Cuba. Mexico then stopped sending oil but recently sent two ships carrying humanitarian aid. The US aims to dominate the Americas, as stated in its National Security Strategy, planning to "restore American preeminence in the Western Hemisphere." The White House calls the Cuban government an "unusual and extraordinary threat." Trump believes Cuba might collapse without Venezuelan oil. Despite the pressure, Cuba stands firm. Cuba’s foreign ministry expressed willingness for respectful talks with the US based on mutual interest and international law. Ambassador Carlos de Cespedes declared Cuba will not be "terrorised" or broken, even if no oil arrives. President Miguel Diaz-Canel vowed to "defend the Homeland to the last drop of blood" yet insisted Cuba seeks peaceful dialogue.