Deputy Prime Minister Pérez-Oliva: Cuba Will Not Become Anyone's Colony Again

Óscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, denounced in an interview with Reuters, replicated by the Cubadebate portal, that the coercive measures of the United States seek to create an economic dependence of Cuba through threats and blackmail against foreign companies.

Pérez-Oliva explained that the tightening of the economic, commercial and financial blockade, aggravated by the energy siege, has caused the partial departure of companies, mainly from the tourism sector, due to direct pressure from the State Department.

He noted that the executive orders of January 29 and May 1 established that energy siege that imposed, de facto, a naval blockade on Cuba regarding fuel, which generated uncertainty among shipping companies and traditional suppliers.

The deputy prime minister denounced that the U.S. administration restrictively authorized some American companies to sell fuel under costly and inefficient conditions, which makes the Cuban economy more expensive.

Regarding tourism, he stated that chains such as Meliá and Iberostar withdrew due to direct threats, although he clarified that there is no stampede of foreign investors and that Cuba maintains business interest with companies from various regions.

In the maritime field, he indicated that international shipping companies have limited the transport of cargo to Cuba, which caused delays in the arrival of food and medicines, with effects on hemodialysis patients and on serum production.

Regarding the mining sector, he specified that companies such as Sherritt and Antilles Gold remain in the country, although some of their operations were sanctioned, which generates concern among traditional partners.

Pérez-Oliva reiterated that Cuba will not become a colony of any country again and stressed that U.S. policy seeks to force an irregular economic dependence, while the Island maintains its attractiveness for foreign investors.

He added that the update of real estate policy, with surface rights extended to 99 years and new urban regulations, opens opportunities for projects in areas such as Miramar and Old Havana.