US Imperialism's Grip on Cuba and Venezuela: A Struggle for Sovereignty

Imperialism is an ugly force in the long journey of world history, which continuously attacks the independence and sovereignty of small and weak nations by trapping them in its economic, military, and political clutches. Cuba and Venezuela, located in the Latin American continent, are living examples of the clutches of American imperialism.

These two countries have endured a long history of sanctions, attacks, and conspiracies by American imperialism after the end of colonialism. They have shown indomitable courage to protect their existence, freedom, and socialist ideals against the naked dance of American imperialism.

This article will discuss how these two countries are struggling for their country's independence despite the grip of imperialism, how the American blockade is negatively impacting the health, education, public life, and economy of Venezuela and Cuba, and how these countries are resisting the American blockade.

• Half a Century of American Blockade

After the Cuban Revolution of 1959, Cuba chose the socialist path under the leadership of Fidel Castro. The then American administration considered this a threat to itself. After that, they imposed harsh economic and financial sanctions against Cuba. The blockade, which began in 1960, continues to this day. Although the UN General Assembly has been passing resolutions against the inhumanity of the American administration for years, America is defying them without implementing them.

America's such behavior is proving the ancestors' saying, 'There is no medicine for the stubborn,' true. According to the statistics for 2024-2025, the blockade caused Cuba a loss of $7.56 billion in one year. This is 49 percent more than the previous year. It is estimated that Cuba's gross domestic product could have increased by 9.2 percent if there had been no blockade.

The impact of the blockade is visible in ordinary life. There is extreme difficulty in importing food, medicine, fuel, agricultural materials, and infrastructure construction materials. According to international human rights organizations, more than 80 percent of Cuba's population was born after the start of this blockade.

This has been violating the fundamental rights of Cuban children, the elderly, and the sick for generations. The pharmaceutical industry is unable to obtain essential raw materials and technology due to American sanctions. Let alone other times, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, America displayed its true face by obstructing the supply of medical materials.

Despite all these challenges, Cuba has maintained moral restraint in the international arena. Cuba has developed one of the best health and education systems in the world with limited resources. Cuba's infant mortality rate is the lowest in Latin America, and its life expectancy is on par with many developed countries. Cuba has set an unparalleled example of international solidarity by sending hundreds of doctors to the world's poor and conflict-affected regions.

UN Human Rights Council rapporteur Elena Douhan has clearly stated, 'These unilateral sanctions have affected every aspect of life in Cuba, therefore America must immediately lift such inhuman blockade.'

• Venezuela: The War of Oil and Resistance

Venezuela is the country with the largest oil reserves in the world. Under the leadership of Hugo Chavez, Venezuela adopted an anti-imperialist and socialist path from 1998 onwards. This reduced the influence of American companies and increased national control over oil. In direct response, America began imposing targeted economic sanctions on Venezuela from 2017.

Specifically, oil sanctions, financial blockades, and attempts to delegitimize President Nicolas Maduro's government were made. Not only this, but Venezuela's constitutional president was illegally abducted and taken to America overnight, violating international law. The impact of the oil blockade and economic sanctions imposed on Venezuela has been extremely devastating.

Venezuela's inflation is estimated to reach 600 percent by the end of 2025. Oil production decreased from a high of 3.2 million barrels per day to 1 million barrels. America has deprived the Venezuelan people of their rights by seizing Venezuelan oil tankers, imposing blockades, and pursuing a policy of 'oil obstruction.' It has shown its anti-people face to the world in violation of the UN Charter.

A sharp decline in foreign exchange reserves has halted the import of food, medicine, and other essential goods. According to the United Nations and the International Labour Organization, millions of Venezuelans have been forced to leave the country and seek refuge in neighboring countries.

• Threat of Military Intervention in Venezuela

Another aspect of imperialist pressure is prolonged political instability and numerous attempts at coups. In 2002, there was a military coup against the Chavez government, with the direct involvement of the American administration behind it. However, a large public movement brought Chavez back to power. But when nothing else worked, in 2018, America recognized Juan Guaido as the 'interim president' and began to exert pressure to remove the Maduro government.

In addition to sanctions, military exercises were also increased in the border areas of Venezuela. Not only that, but it promoted various organizations to advance 'private military companies' and a widespread propaganda campaign against the Venezuelan government. All this was the result of broader American intervention. Now, President Maduro himself has been abducted.

However, the unity of Venezuela's army and people has thwarted every American attempt. President Maduro had repeatedly said, 'Venezuela will not bow down to imperialism. Our struggle is to protect Bolivar's dream.' Venezuela's national unity movement has termed the American sanctions as 'economic and political genocide.'

• Why International Solidarity?

These two countries are not the only ones caught in the clutches of imperialism. From Haiti to Colombia and from India to South Africa, they have experienced the sting of imperialist intervention at various times. The point is, if American intervention succeeds in Cuba and Venezuela now, it will pave the way for Greenland and Canada. Therefore, the Trump-led US administration is under pressure to make it succeed at any cost. That is why Cuban Ambassador Carlos The Cespedes warned, 'The subjugation of Venezuela will be an example for everyone. Only integrated international cooperation for prevention is the important and unanimous path for now.'

The solidarity of the world's justice-loving people has been successful in the past as well. In October 2025, more than 50,000 people in Havana took to the streets in support of Venezuela, calling for the old solidarity again. The International Peoples' Assembly has sent 'Unity Missions' to Cuba and Venezuela, delivering solar panels, food, and medicine.

What do these practical aids show? The fight against imperialism is not just political but also an effort to keep collective humanity alive. This is our responsibility. Opposition to American imperialism and our support for Cuba-Venezuela is also an initiative for international solidarity against potential intervention in our own sovereignty.

The struggle of Cuba and Venezuela inspires all oppressed nation-states in the world. It also teaches us to unite and resolve each other's difficulties. If we cannot even do this much in the international arena, it is certain that it will erode our humanity.

Despite immense challenges, Cuba has not allowed any decline in the quality and consciousness of its health system. While America provides weapons and missile systems to kill ordinary people in conflict zones around the world, Cuba sends medicines and doctors to those areas. This is the fundamental character difference between capitalist and socialist systems of governance. The common people around the world understand what is more important between weapons and medicines to save humanity.

In such a situation, the question arises, what can we do? When the world's justice-loving people raise their voices in favor of Cuba and Venezuela, we must add our voice, even if it is just a whisper. For this, we can do five things respectively.

First, support the proposal to end the blockade against Cuba in the United Nations and put pressure on our government. Second, participate in signature campaigns and demonstrations against American sanctions on Venezuela. Third, continue to disseminate information about the reality of Cuba and Venezuela on independent media and social media. Fourth, provide financial assistance to Cuban medical missions and Venezuelan social projects. Fifth, join international solidarity committees and spread the message of unity worldwide.

• Conclusion

Cuba and Venezuela are two small nations entangled in the grip of imperialism. But their indomitable willpower has shown the entire world that resistance against inhumanity, dominance, and economic war is possible. These two countries have weakened the argument that American imperialism should not be opposed, and that it cannot be opposed, by teaching the lesson that the dominant can also be defeated with the support of the people.

Those who say 'Venezuela at any time' are people who stand with whom and whose ideology they carry, and the lesson that people like Guaido can exist in every country has also been given to us by those two countries. If the justice-loving people of the world unite, imperialism will not be defeated; if the people of the world are divided, the independent existence of these two resistant nations may be wiped out. Then it will be your country's turn, these two countries have given a strong message.

Cuba and Venezuela are certainly not alone in this fight for justice and humanity. Therefore, let us raise our voices in favor of Cuba and Venezuela as much as possible.