Cuban forces intercepted a speedboat carrying ten US paramilitary personnel within the country’s maritime territory on February 26. The US group opened fire, forcing the Cubans to retaliate, killing four and wounding six. Cuba condemned the attempted incursion as a paramilitary operation aimed at sowing terrorism on the island and stirring unrest among its people.

The attack came as the US imposed another round of brutal sanctions against Cuba. US President Donald Trump effectively enforced an “oil embargo” in January prohibiting all countries from supplying oil to Cuba.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel denounced the oil blockade as “criminal, brazen, and inhumane.” The embargo severely affected transportation, hospitals and medical facilities, schools, tourism, and food production across the country. In February, the US coast guard twice illegally blocked shipments of oil from Mexico and Venezuela bound for Cuba.

International solidarity poured in amid all this. Mexico sent tons of material aid, despite US threats to impose higher tariffs if it continued to supply oil to Cuba. Chile, Russia, China, Vietnam, and Spain also sent material support, financial assistance, and food.