The U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs spotlighted the dire human rights situation in Cuba during a recent meeting, emphasizing the Cuban government's role in the ongoing crisis. Witnesses reported alarming statistics, revealing that 70% of surveyed Cubans skip at least one meal daily, while 61% struggle to afford basic necessities. The country has suffered from severe economic turmoil, including three nationwide electricity blackouts in just two months, with some areas experiencing outages lasting up to 20 hours a day.

The Cuban government admitted in July that it has only 30% of the basic medicines needed for its population. This dire situation has led to a mass exodus, with the government acknowledging a 9% population loss due to immigration between 2020 and 2023. However, independent reports suggest the actual number may be even higher.

Critics at the meeting argued that the long-standing U.S. policy of isolation has failed to improve conditions in Cuba and may have exacerbated the situation. They contend that the embargo and the designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism have provided the Cuban government with a scapegoat for its failures, allowing it to deflect blame for its human rights abuses.

The committee urged a shift in U.S. policy, advocating for targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights violations rather than broad measures that could further harm the Cuban populace. They called for a coordinated international effort to promote human rights and empower Cuban civil society, aiming for a more effective approach to address the ongoing crisis.