A recent survey reveals that 51% of Canadians support sending aid to Cuba, even at the risk of straining relations with the United States. In contrast, 31% prioritize keeping positive ties with the Trump administration above such moves, while 19% argue for reducing or eliminating the aid entirely.
Cuba’s Fuel Crisis and US Blockade
Cuba grapples with a dire fuel shortage and humanitarian crisis, the latest in years of economic struggles. The U.S. severed oil supplies by seizing control of Venezuela’s reserves in January and imposing tariff threats on any nation stepping in to help.
On February 27, 2026, President Donald Trump floated the idea of a “friendly takeover” of Cuba. “The Cuban government is talking with us, and they’re in a big deal of trouble,” Trump remarked while heading to Texas from the White House. “They have no money. They have no anything right now, but they’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”
Cuban Ambassador’s Strong Response
Cuba’s Ambassador to Canada, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, accused the U.S. of “suffocating an entire people” on February 24. “The collective punishment of a whole nation is an unjustifiable crime,” he stated. “One may disagree with the country’s political project, but there is no right whatsoever that justifies a great power—based on its economic and military might—interfering in its internal affairs, violating its independence. Much less acceptable is a superpower attempting to achieve its objectives by suffocating an entire people.”
Canada responded by delivering $8 million in food aid to address immediate needs.
Low Awareness Among Canadians
Awareness of Cuba’s crisis lags behind other major news stories. Exactly half of Canadians (51%) track developments very closely (14%) or closely (38%), with 36% just skimming headlines.
Global Affairs Canada has warned travelers for over a year about widespread shortages of food, medicine, and fuel throughout the island.
Widening US-Canada Divide
Tensions between the two nations mount amid Trump’s annexation threats against Canada and 2025 tariffs. Polling from September 2025 shows 60% of Canadians believe trust in Americans has eroded permanently, and 71% expect trade conflicts to drag on for years.
February 2026 data indicates 58% of Canadians no longer consider the U.S. a reliable ally, 42% reject it as an ally altogether, and 43% view it as a primary threat to global stability.
