No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real

"Among the verdant gardens of Havana's diplomatic quarter, Siboney, ambassadors from countries traditionally allied to the United States are expressing increasing frustration with Washington's attempt to unseat Cuba's government, while simultaneously drawing up plans to draw down their missions. Cuba is in crisis. Already reeling from a four-year economic slump, worsened by hyper-inflation and the migration of nearly 20% of the population, the 67-year-old communist government is at its weakest."

"After Washington's successful military operation against Cuba's ally Venezuela at the beginning of January, the US administration is actively seeking regime change. The Guardian spoke to more than five top-level officials from different countries, and heard complaints that the US charge d'affaires, Mike Hammer, has failed to share any sort of detailed plan beyond bringing the island to a standstill by starving it of oil."

"Some hope that rumoured high-level discussions in Mexico between the Cuban government in the form of Gen Alejandro Castro Espin, son of Cuba's 94-year-old former president Raul Castro and US officials might produce a deal, but as yet there are no signs of progress."

Ambassadors from countries allied to the United States in Havana's Siboney diplomatic quarter are increasingly frustrated and preparing to scale down missions. Cuba faces a severe crisis after a four-year economic slump worsened by hyper-inflation and the migration of nearly 20% of the population, leaving the 67-year-old communist government at its weakest. Following a US military operation against Venezuela in early January, the US administration is actively seeking regime change. The US charge d'affaires, Mike Hammer, has reportedly not shared detailed plans beyond measures to halt oil supplies. Rumoured talks involving Gen Alejandro Castro Espin and US officials show no progress. Diplomats anticipate tactics that could starve the country to provoke street protests. Fuel shortages are hampering the UN World Food Programme's relief efforts and reducing fresh produce availability in cities.

Read at www.theguardian.com