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Knowledge, Lead article

Cuba 2026 as a case: what the week shows

· Helfen statt Blockieren editorial team

Each year Helfen statt Blockieren puts one case at the centre. In 2026 it is Cuba: with one of the oldest embargoes still in force and with a leadership that builds obstacles of its own and holds people for political reasons. This lead article shows how the six steps of the Knowledge section reappear in this case and on which day the week takes them up.

Knowledge in seven steps: step 7

130 : 17 : 25yes, no and abstentions in the UN vote on the US embargo on 28 Oct 2026United Nations
−44.3%EU exports to Cuba, 2025 versus 2015Eurostat, analysis by Helfen statt Blockieren
15,200private small and medium-sized firms in July 2026EFE, figures from Cuban authorities, 8 Jul 2026
1,351political prisoners as of September 2026Prisoners Defenders, 15 Oct 2026

Why Cuba

The US embargo against Cuba has existed since the early 1960s and is among the oldest cases still in force in the collection by Hufbauer and co-authors. The Helms-Burton Act of 1996 expressly targets firms from third countries as well; it prompted the EU Blocking Statute, which turns thirty on 22 November 2026. Every step of this section can therefore be shown with Cuba, and Cuba also shows why one side alone is not enough.

The steps applied to the case

What the blockade is. A comprehensive embargo, tightened in 2026: Executive Order 14380 of 29 January allows additional tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba; an order of 1 May allows sanctions against foreign firms and banks doing business with the Cuban government in energy, defence, mining, finance or security. Since 20 January 2025 the US has again listed Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Whom it hits. By August 2026 the power grid had collapsed nationwide six times. After her visit in November 2025, the UN Special Rapporteur described shortages of medicines, food, fuel and spare parts and called on the US to end the sanctions. The Cuban Observatory for Human Rights disagreed: the hardship stemmed from the system, not from sanctions from outside.

What it costs. The Cuban government cites 147 to 164 billion US dollars before the United Nations; a working paper by the author considers the sum methodologically too high. EU exports to Cuba have fallen by 44.3 percent since 2015; the data show the decline, not its cause.

What is permitted. Food and medicines from the US have been exempt since 2000; in 2025 the US supplied farm goods worth 476.74 million US dollars. For firms in the EU, trade with Cuba is permitted, and the Blocking Statute forbids compliance with Helms-Burton.

How aid gets through. Through aid organisations with partners in the country and through traders whose paperwork is in order. Western Union stopped transfers to Cuba once again in February 2025; according to information submitted to the UN, about 200 foreign banks have ended their relations since 2021.

What anyone can do. 15,200 private small and medium-sized firms buy food, building materials and spare parts abroad; since 2026 they may import directly. Anyone supplying them finds the checkpoints in “Cuba’s private firms”.

The second half

A considerable part of the hardship is home-made. The 2021 currency reform sharply devalued the peso and set off severe inflation; state controls and narrow limits on private initiative hold back even permitted trade; the easing of 2026 has been announced, how quickly it takes effect is open. Amnesty International documents people detained for political reasons and called the releases of 2025 selective; Prisoners Defenders counted 1,351 political prisoners in September 2026. On 18 June 2026 the European Parliament demanded their release, far-reaching reforms and at the same time more aid against the humanitarian crisis.

How the world votes

On 28 October 2026 the UN General Assembly called for an end to the US embargo for the 34th time: 130 states in favour, 17 against, 25 abstentions. A year earlier there were 165 votes in favour; 130 is the lowest number since 1995. Germany abstained; in 2025 it had still voted in favour. In the debate the US presented photos which, it said, show corruption in Cuba; Cuba’s foreign minister spoke of an attempt “to continue strangling the Cuban people”. The figures since 1992 and how differently the vote was reported are set out in “Putting the UN vote in context”.

The week as a case

The week “Helfen statt Blockieren” sets both halves side by side and leaves the judgement to the audience. Each day takes up one part of the path.

  1. Twelve workshopsIncluding “The protective law that stays silent” (W2), “Allowed and still blocked” (W5), “The costs of the embargo and the discipline of the number” (W6) and “Permitted and still blocked: over-compliance in banks and companies” (W8). Steps 3 to 5.
  2. Youth discussion and “The Measure of Freedom”Open round from age 16: blockades and who feels them. Step 2.
  3. 30 years of the EU Blocking StatuteTalks with guests in the Heilige-Geist-Kirche in Moabit, including Prof. Dr. Stefan Oeter. Step 4.
  4. Forum at the Galli TheaterVoices from academia, literature and human rights work, including Prof. Dr. Kai Ambos and Orlando Luis Pardo Lazo; Gabriele Stein presents six cases of political prisoners. Steps 1 to 7.
  5. School day in German and Spanish“The Measure of Freedom” with a discussion afterwards. For registered school classes.

The full programme with venues and times is under Programme day by day. Which case will be at the centre in 2027 is decided by a vote: experts put forward three to four vetted proposals, every registered person has one vote, and no funder votes as a funder.

This lead article is information, not legal advice. It reflects the view of the editorial team and relies on the sources listed and the linked building blocks. “Helfen statt Blockieren” is non-partisan.

Sources

All online sources accessed on 3 November 2026.

All seven steps