A recent survey reveals that 51 percent of Canadians support providing aid to Cuba, even if it risks straining relations with the United States. Meanwhile, 31 percent prioritize maintaining positive ties with the U.S. administration over such actions.
Trump Floats ‘Friendly Takeover’ of Cuba
On February 27, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested a “friendly takeover” of Cuba following the blockade of the island’s primary fuel supplier. “The Cuban government is talking with us, and they’re in a big deal of trouble,” Trump stated as he departed the White House for Texas. “They have no money. They have no anything right now, but they’re talking with us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”
Cuba faces an ongoing fuel shortage and humanitarian crisis amid prolonged economic challenges. The U.S. has restricted oil shipments by blockading Venezuela and issuing tariff threats to any nation attempting to supply fuel.
Cuban Ambassador Condemns U.S. Actions
Cuba’s ambassador to Canada, Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, declared on February 24 that the United States is “suffocating an entire people.” He added, “The collective punishment of a whole nation is an unjustifiable crime. One may disagree with the country’s political project, but there is no right whatsoever that justifies a great power—based on its economic and military might—interfering in its internal affairs, violating its independence. Much less acceptable is a superpower attempting to achieve its objectives by suffocating an entire people.”
Canada Delivers Food Aid
In response, Canada dispatched $8 million worth of food aid to Cuba. Nineteen percent of respondents feel Canada should provide less aid or none at all.
Awareness Levels and Travel Warnings
Awareness of Cuba’s crisis remains below average compared to other recent events, with 51 percent of Canadians following the story very closely (14 percent) or closely (38 percent), and 36 percent merely scanning headlines.
Global Affairs Canada has issued travel advisories for over a year, citing shortages of food, medicine, and fuel across most of the island. Cuba lost its main fuel supply in January 2026 when the U.S. seized control of Venezuela’s oil reserves, coupled with threats of tariffs on fuel exporters to Cuba.
Widening Canada-U.S. Divide
Tensions between Canada and the U.S. continue to escalate due to Trump’s annexation threats against Canada and tariffs imposed in 2025. A September 2025 Ipsos poll showed 60 percent of Canadians believe the country “can never trust the Americans the same way again,” while 71 percent expect trade disputes to persist for years.
A February 2026 Politico poll indicated 58 percent of Canadians no longer see the U.S. as a reliable ally, with 42 percent stating America is not an ally at all. Additionally, 43 percent view the U.S. as “mostly a threat” to global stability.
