Cuban President to address media as economic crisis grows

President Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba is scheduled to address national media on Friday morning as the island nation navigates a severe economic crisis and mounting pressure from the United States. The rare appearance, set for 7:30 a.m. EDT, follows previous warnings from the Communist government regarding the need for extreme measures to address fuel shortages and frequent power blackouts. While the address is of significant national importance, the government has restricted access to national reporters, excluding the foreign press.

The current economic situation has been exacerbated by an oil blockade led by President Donald Trump, which has severely impacted the island's energy supply. Tensions have further escalated since the removal of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, which previously served as the island's primary foreign benefactor. Since January, the Trump administration has halted oil shipments from the South American nation and threatened to impose tariffs on any third-party countries facilitating energy trade with the island.