Chapo Trap House UNLOCKED: The Siege of Cuba feat. Liz Oliva Fernández
Feb 13, 2026
Liz Oliva Fernández, Havana-based reporter covering Cuba’s economy and healthcare, explains the effects of oil blockades and U.S. sanctions on daily life. She describes blackouts, fuel shortages, and coping strategies. She also discusses U.S. political pressure, media stereotypes, and the strain on Cuba’s healthcare and regional ties.
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Compound Oil Shortages Threaten Daily Life
- Cuba faces compounded oil shortages after Venezuela and U.S. measures cut fuel supplies. The government has reduced services and transportation to prioritize electricity for households.
Resilience Is Forced, Not Celebratory
- Cubans have been forced into extreme everyday improvisation to survive shortages and are exhausted by it. Liz says the sanctions aim to make life unbearable enough to provoke regime change.
Lobby Power Shapes Policy, Not Just Money
- The Cuban‑American lobby wields disproportionate influence in U.S. policy through Congress placement, not just donations. Many U.S. Cubans outside Miami oppose sanctions because they hurt families in Cuba.