Havana, Cuba – U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Jonathan Jackson (D-IL) concluded a five-day congressional delegation to Cuba last week, strongly denouncing the U.S. fuel blockade as "cruel collective punishment" and calling for immediate negotiations between the two nations. The visit, which ended on Sunday, April 5, 2026, marked the first congressional delegation to the island this year, occurring amidst intensified U.S. restrictions on fuel shipments.
During their trip, the lawmakers met with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez, and members of the Cuban Parliament. According to a joint statement, they witnessed firsthand the severe humanitarian impact of the blockade, including its effects on healthcare and daily life. "The illegal U.S. blockade of fuel to Cuba—90 miles south of the United States—adds to the longest embargo in world history and is causing untold suffering to the Cuban people," Jayapal and Jackson stated.
The delegation's assessment highlighted the dire situation, with Jayapal noting, "We witnessed firsthand premature babies in incubators, weighing just two pounds, who are at tremendous risk because their ventilators and incubators cannot function without electricity." The representatives also pointed to Cuba's recent steps, such as pardoning over 2,000 prisoners and liberalizing its economy, as signals for potential reform. They argued that these developments indicate the time is right for "real negotiations" to reverse what they termed a "failed U.S. policy of decades, a Cold War remnant."
However, the visit drew sharp criticism from some quarters, including journalist Maila Maria Rosa, who questioned the lawmakers' engagement with the Cuban government. In a tweet, Rosa stated, "Why are members of US Congress flying to Cuba and sucking up to the communist regime? Pramila Jayapal, you should be ashamed of yourself." Other critics, including Cuban activists, questioned whether the delegation addressed concerns regarding political prisoners or visited opposition figures.
The U.S. fuel blockade, intensified by the Trump administration, aims to pressure Cuba's communist government. Despite this, a Russian tanker recently delivered 730,000 barrels of crude oil to Cuba after a temporary lifting of sanctions for humanitarian reasons. Jayapal emphasized that such shipments are merely temporary solutions, stressing the need for a "longer, permanent solution for the Cuban people and the American people."
Upon their return, Representatives Jayapal and Jackson plan to prepare a report and advocate within the House of Representatives for initiatives to lift sanctions against Cuba. Their visit underscores ongoing tensions and differing approaches within the U.S. political landscape regarding policy toward the island nation.
