The United States Puts Pressure on Cuba

May 16, 2026, 08:00
Latin AmericaPolitics

Introduction

The United States is using money and laws to put pressure on the Cuban government.

Main Body

The US stopped oil from going to Cuba. Now, Cuba does not have enough fuel. This makes life hard for people there. US lawyers want to charge former leader Raúl Castro with a crime from 1996. The US also wants Cuba to change its government system. Cuba says it will fight if the US attacks. Some people think this will cause a big problem. Many poor people might leave Cuba and move to the US.

Conclusion

The US uses money and threats to make Cuba change its leaders.

Learning

💡 The 'Action' Pattern

Look at how these sentences move from a Person/Group to an Action:

  • The US →\rightarrow stopped oil.
  • Cuba →\rightarrow says it will fight.
  • People →\rightarrow move to the US.

Why this helps you reach A2: In English, we almost always put the 'doer' first.

Simple Word Swap: You can change the person to talk about yourself!

  • The US stopped oil →\rightarrow I stopped the car.
  • People move →\rightarrow I move to a new house.

Quick Vocabulary List

  • Hard: Not easy (Example: Life is hard).
  • Former: Something that happened in the past (Example: Former leader).
  • Enough: The right amount (Example: Enough fuel).

Vocabulary Learning

money
Coins or currency used for buying and selling.
Example:The US uses money to influence Cuba.
laws
Rules made by a government that people must follow.
Example:The laws require people to pay taxes.
pressure
The force or influence that makes something change.
Example:The pressure from the crowd made the singer perform.
government
The group of people who run a country.
Example:The government announced new rules.
oil
A liquid that comes from the ground and is used for fuel.
Example:They stopped the oil from going to Cuba.
fuel
Something that gives energy to engines or power.
Example:Cuba does not have enough fuel.
life
The experience of being alive; everyday living.
Example:This makes life hard for people there.
hard
Difficult or tough.
Example:It is hard to learn a new language.
people
Human beings; members of a community.
Example:Many poor people might leave Cuba.
crime
An illegal act punishable by law.
Example:The US wants to charge him with a crime.
system
A set of rules or parts that work together.
Example:The US wants Cuba to change its government system.
move
To go from one place to another.
Example:Many people might move to the US.