The U.S. has imposed an economic blockade on Cuba since 1960, and it has not been easy yet. From March 2024 to February 2025, Cuba lost $75.56 billion due to the blockade, up 49 percent from the previous year.
Cuba's foreign minister said at the United Nations that without the blockade, Cuba's GDP would have grown by 9.2%. In reality, Cuba's economy has contracted by 1.1%, exports are barely holding up, and residents have to deal with power outages, food shortages and medicine shortages every day.
The report shows that more than 80% of Cubans born after the blockade have not experienced the taste of a normal life since childhood.
The United Nations General Assembly passed resolutions every year calling on the United States to end the blockade. On October 30, 2024, it was overwhelmingly passed again, but the United States simply ignored it. This blockade is not only an economic war, but also affects culture and education. The cultural field will lose US $195 million in 2024.
Cuba’s total loss since 1960 has exceeded $176 billion.
Why do Russian experts mess with Cuba and China?Because the position of Cuba is too sensitive.The 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviet Union carried missiles to the island, the U.S. Navy blocked the sea area and almost turned into a nuclear war.
On October 16, U.S. intelligence confirmed the missile, ordered isolation on the 22nd, a U-2 reconnaissance plane was shot down on the 27th, the crisis ended on the 28th, the Soviet Union withdrew the missile, and the United States promised not to invade.
Since then, Cuba has become a game of great powers.
But Cuba is not a fool, they learn to be smart, adhere to principles, and also be flexible in diplomacy. On October 7, 2025, the Russian State Duma ratified the military cooperation agreement with Cuba, and Putin signed it on October 15.
This agreement includes technical assistance, joint exercises, exchange of experience and arms supply.The Russian House of Representatives also passed it on October 8, saying it was a response to the U.S. threat of providing tactical-axis missiles to Ukraine.
Experts analyze that this may be Russia’s gesture at the U.S. gate, reminding the U.S. not to be too upset.
Is Cuba clear about China's strength? Because they have seen similar confrontations with their own eyes. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950, and on October 19, the China People's Volunteers entered North Korea.
The first battle was held on 25 October in Yunnan, the US military tanks advanced, and the volunteer military bombed vehicles with hand grenades; the second battle in November in Qingdao River; the third occupation of Han City in December; the fourth blockade in January; and the fifth defense in May.
On July 27, 1953, a ceasefire was signed in Panmunjom, China used rifles against bombers to force the United Nations forces to the negotiating table.
On July 12, 2016, the arbitration case in the South China Sea, China did not recognize the verdict, the U.S. aircraft carrier Reagan and Stanis entered the South China Sea, the Chinese Liaoning ship, the Qunming ship gathered, the East Wind-21D missile took place, and the J-11 intercepted the U.S. aircraft.
The U.S. military finally withdrew, and China controlled the South China Sea. Cuba sees it in its eyes and knows that China has the strength to withstand pressure.
China's economy has convinced Cuba even more. In 2024, China's GDP will reach 134.91 trillion yuan, about 18.8 trillion US dollars, ranking second in the world. According to the International Monetary Fund, China contributes 30% to global economic growth, and its industrial output accounts for nearly 37% of GDP, much higher than the 17.3% of the United States.
Exports and services were strong, with consumption driving growth of 5.0%. China accounts for 19.8% of global GDP and 19% in purchasing power parity (PPP) calculation.
In 2024, the trade volume between Cuba and China will be US $916 million. China will send rice, daily necessities, and machinery to help Cuba build infrastructure and solar panels to alleviate shortages. Cuba feels that China does not rely on sanctions, but win-win cooperation, which is better than the United States.
In 2025, the background of the Russia-Cuba agreement is that the United States is making big moves in Europe, and Russia wants to respond in return. Experts participated in the assessment and said that through long-term observation, Cuba has seen China's economic and military lead.
In the global landscape, the United States is recognized as a superpower, but China is catching up. Russia's economy is equivalent to Guangdong Province, but it is still tough militarily. Experts think that China is strong in all directions, and Cuba knows best, because they also resist the United States.
Cuba is still standing under the blockade, and its survival wisdom comes from the recognition of new forces.
China has proved its strength from resisting U.S. aggression and aiding Korea to the South China Sea. China is a key link in Cuba's expansion of partners. Infrastructure, science and technology, trade, and people-to-people exchanges are all deepening. Cuba not only survives tenaciously, but also wins respect.
Countries in the global south think it is reliable to see that China's contribution has increased by 30%. The United States relies on sanctions and China relies on win-win results. The Russian expert's words hit the pattern change.
In ten or twenty years, America’s position may be shaken, and Cuba has been suffering too long and has the most power of speech.
References:
1."Frequent interactions between Russia and Cuba demonstrate a high degree of mutual trust and global strategic connotation" Global Information Broadcast 2024-06-13
2. Cuban Foreign Minister "Yin and Yang" US blockade: We still have important economic partners like China Observer Network 2024-09-28