Sanctions

Trump administration allows limited Iranian and Russian oil sales, and eases certain Venezuela sanctions. Meanwhile, the US blockade on Cuba chokes the island’s economy and population, a policy that recent polling indicates many US Americans oppose.

Trump’s oil blockade fuels a crisis in Cuba as the US and Israel strike Iran. Trump eases sanctions on Venezuela’s oil and gas sectors, while Canada relaxes sanctions on Syria. The EU fails to adopt its 20th package of Russia sanctions.

Decision Disallows Certain Tariffs That Force Other Countries to Join Embargo and Strangle Cuban Economy

Humanitarian aid is not enough to save Cubans from the deadly impact of Trump’s oil blockade, however. They, and we, need more solidarity. Trump is threatening the whole world in order to use economic violence against Cubans.

Trump eases some sanctions on Venezuela’s oil sector while maintaining the naval blockade and threatening tariffs on countries shipping oil to Cuba. Treasury Secretary Bessent says protests in Iran were sparked by sanctions-fueled economic crisis. 

CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot talked this week with KPFA’s Against the Grain about the latest developments in the Trump administration’s coercive approach to Venezuela.

CEPR Co-Director Mark Weisbrot talked this week with KPFA’s Against the Grain about the latest developments in the Trump administration’s coercive approach to Venezuela.

The following resource is intended to aid policymakers and advocates in understanding US sanctions policy and its lethal and humanitarian consequences.

Trump enacts a “blockade” on sanctioned Venezuelan oil, likely impacting Cuba’s economy too; Congress repeals a landmark Syria sanctions bill as sanctions weigh on Iran and Russia.

Trump extends the Syria sanctions waiver as measures on Russia and Cuba bite. The President also signals openness to talks on Iran sanctions, while escalating threats against Venezuela with new designations.