Is the revolution in Cuba over?
The Inquiry
BBC
4.6 • 1.7K Ratings
🗓️ 21 March 2026
⏱️ 24 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Cuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades.
For years, Cuba relied heavily on oil from Venezuela. Those supplies have largely stopped, contributing to widespread fuel shortages. Electricity blackouts have become increasingly common, disrupting daily life across the country.
The United States has blocked fuel shipments to Cuba as part of wider pressure linked to its economic and political policies. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has warned it will resist any external interference in its domestic affairs.
This weeks panel includes Lillian Guerra, professor of Cuban and Caribbean history at the University of Florida, US; Ricardo Torres, research fellow at American University, US; Christopher Sabatini, senior research fellow for Latin America at Chatham House, UK and Renata Segura, programme director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Crisis Group, US.
Presenter: Tanya Beckett Producer: Matt Toulson Sound engineer: Cameron Ward Editor: Tom Bigwood
(Photo: Havana, the capital of Cuba, during a blackout in March 2026. Credit: Yamil Lage/Getty Images)
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, Music, Radio, podcasts. |
| 0:05.7 | Welcome to the inquiry from the BBC World Service with me, Tanya Beckett. |
| 0:10.9 | One question, four expert witnesses and an answer. |
| 0:15.8 | Before we begin, I just wanted to let you know that this episode was recorded on the 19th of March. |
| 0:24.9 | Cuba is facing one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades. |
| 0:30.7 | The island lies less than 200 kilometres off the coast of the US state of Florida |
| 0:35.4 | and has for decades attempted to distance itself |
| 0:38.8 | from its far more powerful neighbour to the north. |
| 0:43.0 | But now it finds itself caught in its grip. |
| 0:46.2 | For a quarter of a century, Cuba has relied on oil from Venezuela. |
| 0:51.3 | The United States is now enforcing a de facto naval blockade on fuel shipments to Cuba, |
| 0:57.0 | preventing tankers from reaching the island and deepening its energy crisis. |
| 1:01.7 | Cuba has faced worsening fuel shortages, with electricity blackouts becoming increasingly common |
| 1:07.5 | across the island and disrupting everyday life for many Cubans. |
| 1:12.1 | In the past four weeks, the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has occupied much of President Donald Trump's foreign policy agenda. |
| 1:21.0 | But he has suggested his focus may soon turn to Cuba. |
| 1:24.9 | I do believe I'll be the honor of having the honor of taking Cuba. |
| 1:31.8 | Taking Cuba. |
| 1:32.7 | I mean, whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it. |
| 1:37.9 | You want to know the truth? |
| 1:39.0 | They're a very weakened nation. |
| 1:42.0 | Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel says his government has opened channels with Washington |
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