The Bridge with Peter Mansbridge Should Canada Be Helping Out Cuba?
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Feb 23, 2026 
Dr. Janice Stein, political scientist and director emerita at the Munk School, offers sharp analysis on Cuba’s fuel crisis and U.S. blockade-like measures. She explores Canada’s constrained options for humanitarian aid and coalition-building. She also touches on Russia’s role, sanctions’ harms, the Ukraine war’s toll, and U.S. moves around Iran and trade leverage.
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U.S Action On Cuban Fuel Resembles A Blockade
- The U.S. blockade on tankers bound for Cuba functions as an illegal economic choke despite euphemisms like 'quarantine.'
- Janice Stein highlights U.S. intercepts and broader interdiction that target fuel shipments to force political change in Cuba.
Marco Rubio Drives Hardline Cuba Strategy
- Marco Rubio is identified as the architect behind pressure on Cuba, driven by a long-term objective to overthrow the communist government.
- Stein links U.S. policy moves like cutting Venezuelan transfers to a targeted campaign shaped by Rubio's influence.
Declare Humanitarian Emergency And Coordinate Aid
- Canada should label Cuba's situation a humanitarian emergency and increase aid while avoiding actions that directly break the U.S. fuel embargo.
- Stein recommends packaging help multilaterally to reduce direct confrontation with Washington.