Cuba asks the Vatican to mediate in an effort to ease the U.S. embargo

Cuban officials have appealed to Pope Leo XIV to help ease U.S. sanctions pressure. 

According to the Washington Post, citing its own sources, Havana is seeking to involve the Vatican as a mediator in negotiations with President Donald Trump. 

The Cuban side hopes that the pontiff’s authority will help ease the terms of the long-standing oil and trade embargo that has been in place against the island for over sixty years.

The Vatican has a long history of diplomatic support for Cuba and has repeatedly condemned Washington’s sweeping restrictions. In particular, it was the efforts of the popes that laid the groundwork for Barack Obama’s historic visit to the country in 2016. The current Pope, Leo XIV, was born in the United States and has significant experience working in South America, which adds weight to his role in regional affairs. Despite this, the Donald Trump administration is currently taking a hard line against international calls to ease pressure on political opponents. So far, Washington has not provided a direct response to the Cuban government’s new initiative.

As a reminder, Cuba has restored its power grid following a massive blackout.

Trump also confirmed the U.S. intention to intervene in Cuba.

Cuba denied the U.S. permission to import diesel fuel for its embassy amid the energy crisis.