Ilhan Omar blasts Trump's Cuba stance, says his oil blockade is 'suffocating' civilians

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Ilhan Omar (D-MN) criticized President Donald Trump for how his administration has dealt with Cuba. She said that the US' oil blockade on the island is hurting civilians.

Omar said on the floor of the House that the policy is really economic pressure on the Cuban people, not the government, and that the steps are making it harder to get food, water, and healthcare. 

Ilhan Omar calls US oil blockade on Cuba ‘cruel and indefensible’

During her remarks, Omar said she was “outraged” by the administration’s actions, describing the policy as “cruel and indefensible.”

“Mr. Speaker, like many Americans, I am outraged by what Trump is doing to the Cuban people. The oil blockade enacted by the Trump administration is cruel and indefensible,” the Minnesota Democrat expressed. 

She stated that Cuba does not pose a direct threat to the US and questioned the justification for continued economic pressure, which has impacted the civilians.

“Cuba poses no threat to us, yet we are strangling an entire nation with economic warfare. Families are going without food, water systems are failing, hospitals are struggling to stay open,” Omar said. 

Ilhan Omar claims Trump is trying to 'force regime change'

The Trump administration has kept a tough line on Cuba, putting limits on the country's energy sector, among other things.

Omar continued, “These tactics are designed to suffocate an island into submission and its civilians, ordinary Cuban men, women, and children are paying the price.”

In the past, US officials have said that the actions are meant to put pressure on the Cuban government over economic and political issues.

"Make no mistake, this unconscionable suffering is occurring because Trump is trying to force regime change," Omar claimed, before adding, "Across our country and around the world, people are standing in solidarity with the Cuban people."

Her remarks included a call to end the policy, urging the administration to keep its “hands off Cuba” and reverse what she described as harmful actions affecting the population.

“They are calling for dignity, for humanity, for an end to this harm. Hands off Cuba, end the placate now, and I yield back,” Omar stressed. 

The issue is still being talked about in Washington, where lawmakers disagree on how well sanctions work and what their effects are.

Critics say that broad economic measures can hurt civilians more than they help, but supporters say they are needed to get the government in Havana to change its policies.