The United States and Cuba: Money and Trade Problems
The United States and Cuba: Money and Trade Problems
美國與古巴：金錢與貿易問題
Introduction
The United Nations met to talk about the United States. The US stops trade with Cuba. This is a big problem for people in Cuba.
聯合國召開會議討論關於美國的事宜。美國停止與古巴貿易，這對古巴人民來說是一個巨大的問題。
Main Body
The US government stopped fuel from going to Cuba in January. The US wants Cuba to have new elections and free prisoners.
美國政府在一月份停止向古巴提供燃料。美國希望古巴舉行新選舉並釋放囚犯。
Cuba has no power and no electricity. This is bad for hospitals and farms. Many children are dying and the country lost 8 billion dollars.
古巴目前缺乏能源且電力中斷。這對醫院和農場造成不利影響。許多兒童死亡，且該國損失了 80 億美元。
Many countries at the UN say the US must stop. But the US says Cuba's own leaders are the problem. The European Union wants Cuba to change its laws.
聯合國許多國家表示美國必須停止這種行為。但美國則稱古巴自身的領導人才是問題所在。歐盟希望古巴修改其法律。
Conclusion
The US and Cuba do not agree. They will not be friends for a long time.
美國與古巴未能達成共識。他們在很長一段時間內都不會成為朋友。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The Power of 'NO'
In this story, we see words that stop things. To reach A2, you need to show that something is missing or not happening.
1. The Negative Word: NO We use no + noun to show zero amount.
- No power 0 electricity.
- No electricity 0 light.
2. The Action Word: STOP When someone ends an action, we use stop.
- Stop trade No more buying or selling.
- Stop fuel No more gas/oil.
3. The Future Negative: WILL NOT When we are sure about the future, we use will not (or won't).
- They will not be friends Future = Not friends.
Quick Summary Table
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| No | Zero | No power |
| Stop | End | Stop trade |
| Will not | Future No | Will not agree |
Vocabulary Learning
Analysis of US Economic Sanctions and Their Impact on Cuba
美國對古巴經濟制裁及其影響之分析
Introduction
The United Nations General Assembly recently met to discuss the ongoing US economic and financial embargo against Cuba. This discussion took place as humanitarian concerns grew and diplomatic progress remained stalled.
聯合國大會最近開會討論美國對古巴持續實施的經濟與金融禁運。此次討論是在人道主義憂慮增加且外交進展依然停滯不前的情況下進行的。
Main Body
The current tension is part of a larger shift in global power, where the US is seen as having less influence than before. For example, the US has struggled to achieve its goals in Ukraine and Iran. In this environment, the administration of President Donald Trump increased pressure on Havana through an executive order in January, which created a strict blockade on fuel supplies. The US intends for this measure to force the Cuban government to hold democratic elections and release political prisoners.
目前的緊張局勢是全球權力轉移的一部分，美國被認為其影響力不如以往。例如，美國在烏克蘭與伊朗問題上難以達成目標。在這種環境下，川普總統的政府在一月份透過行政命令增加對哈瓦那的壓力，對燃料供應實施了嚴格封鎖。美國意圖透過此舉迫使古巴政府舉行民主選舉並釋放政治犯。
These sanctions have caused serious failures in Cuba's infrastructure. The fuel blockade led to three nationwide power outages this year, which caused protests in Havana and stopped work in the farming and healthcare sectors. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez described these actions as 'collective punishment,' stating that economic damages reached a record $8 billion between March 2025 and February 2026. Furthermore, reports show that child mortality has doubled and many more people have died due to these sanctions.
這些制裁導致古巴的基礎設施嚴重崩潰。燃料封鎖導致今年全國發生三次大停電，引起哈瓦那出現抗議，並使農業與醫療部門停工。外交部長布魯諾·羅德里格斯將這些行動形容為「集體懲罰」，並指出在2025年3月至2026年2月之間，經濟損失達到紀錄性的80億美元。此外，報告顯示兒童死亡率翻倍，且有更多人因這些制裁而死亡。
International opinions remain divided. While most UN member states still support ending the blockade, some traditional allies, such as Canada and Germany, have stopped voting in favor of these resolutions. Meanwhile, US Ambassador Mike Waltz denies that a blockade exists and claims the humanitarian crisis is caused by the Cuban government's own failures. At the same time, the European Union has called for political and economic reforms in Cuba, especially because of Cuba's close relationship with Russia.
國際社會的意見依然分歧。雖然大多數聯合國會員國仍支持結束封鎖，但一些傳統盟友，如加拿大與德國，已停止投票支持這些決議。與此同時，美國大使麥克·沃爾茨否認封鎖的存在，並聲稱人道危機是由古巴政府自身的失敗造成的。同時，歐盟呼籲古巴進行政治與經濟改革，特別是因為古巴與俄羅斯關係密切。
Conclusion
It seems unlikely that Washington and Havana will reach an agreement soon, as both governments disagree on what is actually causing Cuba's economic and social problems.
華盛頓與哈瓦那似乎難以在短期內達成協議，因為兩國政府對於究竟是什麼原因導致古巴經濟與社會問題的看法完全不同。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Logic': Moving from Simple Facts to Complex Cause-and-Effect
At the A2 level, you usually say: "The US stopped the fuel. Cuba had no power." To reach B2, you must connect these ideas using sophisticated transition markers and result-driven verbs.
🧩 The 'Catalyst' Vocabulary
Look at how the article doesn't just say things "happened," but describes how one thing forced another to happen:
- "Led to" (The fuel blockade led to three nationwide power outages).
- "Caused" (These sanctions have caused serious failures).
- "Intends for [X] to [Y]" (The US intends for this measure to force the government...).
Coach's Tip: Stop using 'so' for everything. Start using 'led to' when one event creates a chain reaction.
⚖️ The Art of the 'Contrast Shift'
B2 speakers don't just list opinions; they balance them in one sentence. Notice the movement in the text:
"While most UN member states still support ending the blockade, some traditional allies... have stopped voting in favor."
The B2 Formula: While [Group A thinks X], [Group B thinks Y].
This allows you to show you understand two sides of a complex argument simultaneously, rather than using two simple sentences.
🛠️ Precision Upgrade: A2 B2
| A2 Word (Basic) | B2 Alternative (From Text) | Why it's better |
|---|---|---|
| Problem | Infrastructure failure | Specifically describes what is broken. |
| Bad thing | Humanitarian crisis | Uses academic, global terminology. |
| Stop | Stalled | Describes a process that stopped moving forward. |
| Change | Shift | Describes a change in power or direction. |
Vocabulary Learning
Analysis of the United States' Economic Sanctions Regime and Its Impact on the Republic of Cuba
美國經濟制裁制度及其對古巴共和國影響之分析
Introduction
The United Nations General Assembly recently convened to deliberate the continuation of the United States' economic, commercial, and financial embargo against Cuba amid escalating humanitarian concerns and diplomatic stagnation.
聯合國大會最近召開會議，在人道主義關注增加及外交停滯之際，商討美國對古巴的經濟、商業及金融禁運是否應予繼續。
Main Body
The current geopolitical friction is situated within a broader framework of perceived American systemic decline and a transition toward a multipolar global order. This shift is characterized by a perceived reduction in U.S. strategic efficacy, evidenced by the stagnation of objectives in Ukraine and Iran. Within this context, the administration of President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on Havana via an executive order issued in January, which instituted a stringent blockade on fuel supplies. This measure is intended to compel the Cuban government to initiate democratic elections and release political detainees.
目前的地緣政治摩擦處於一個更廣泛的框架之內，即外界感知到的美國體制衰落以及向多極全球秩序的轉型。這種轉變的特徵在於美國戰略效能的下降，烏克蘭與伊朗目標的停滯不前便是證明。在此背景下，唐納德·川普總統的政府透過一月發布的行政命令加強對哈瓦那的壓力，對燃料供應實施嚴格封鎖。此舉旨在迫使古巴政府啟動民主選舉並釋放政治囚犯。
The operational consequences of these sanctions have manifested as severe systemic failures within Cuba's infrastructure. The fuel blockade has precipitated three nationwide power outages within the current year, resulting in civil unrest in Havana and the paralysis of agricultural and healthcare sectors. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has characterized these actions as 'collective punishment' and 'non-conventional warfare,' noting that damages between March 2025 and February 2026 reached a record $8 billion. Furthermore, reports indicate a doubling of child mortality and significant excess deaths attributed to unilateral sanctions.
這些制裁的運作後果表現為古巴基礎設施內嚴重的系統性失效。燃料封鎖導致今年內發生三次全國性停電，造成哈瓦那的社會動盪以及農業與醫療衛生部門的癱瘓。外交部長布魯諾·羅德里格斯將這些行動形容為「集體懲罰」與「非傳統戰爭」，並指出 2025 年 3 月至 2026 年 2 月之間的損失達到紀錄性的 80 億美元。此外，報告指出兒童死亡率翻倍，且有顯著的超額死亡歸因於單方面制裁。
Stakeholder positioning remains polarized. While a majority of UN member states continue to support resolutions calling for the cessation of the blockade, there is a noted erosion in support, with traditional allies such as Canada and Germany abstaining from recent votes. The United States, represented by Ambassador Mike Waltz, denies the existence of a blockade and attributes the humanitarian crisis to the internal failures of the Cuban regime. Concurrently, the European Union has advocated for internal political and economic reforms in Cuba, citing the island's alignment with the Russian Federation as a point of contention.
利益相關者的定位依然兩極分化。雖然大多數聯合國成員國繼續支持要求停止封鎖的決議，但支持度有所下降，加拿大與德國等傳統盟友在最近的投票中選擇棄權。由大使邁克·沃爾茨代表的美國否認封鎖的存在，並將人道主義危機歸咎於古巴政權的內部失敗。與此同時，歐盟主張古巴進行內部政治與經濟改革，並將古巴與俄羅斯聯邦的對接視為爭議焦點。
Conclusion
Diplomatic rapprochement between Washington and Havana remains improbable as both administrations maintain contradictory narratives regarding the causality of Cuba's socioeconomic instability.
華盛頓與哈瓦那之間的外交和解仍不具可能性，因為兩國政府對於古巴社會經濟不穩定之因果關係維持著矛盾的論述。
Vocabulary Learning
The Architecture of 'Nominalization' and Abstract Density
To bridge the gap from B2 to C2, a student must move beyond describing actions and start constructing concepts. This text is a masterclass in Nominalization—the process of turning verbs (actions) and adjectives (qualities) into nouns. This is the hallmark of high-level academic, diplomatic, and legal English.
⚡ The Linguistic Pivot
Compare a B2-style sentence with the C2-level construction found in the text:
- B2 (Action-oriented): The US and Cuba cannot agree on why Cuba's economy is failing, so they probably won't make peace soon.
- C2 (Concept-oriented): *"Diplomatic rapprochement... remains improbable as both administrations maintain contradictory narratives regarding the causality of Cuba''s socioeconomic instability."
What happened here?
- 'Make peace' 'Diplomatic rapprochement' (Precise terminology replacing a phrasal verb).
- 'Why the economy is failing' 'The causality of... instability' (Turning a causal question into a noun phrase).
🔍 Deconstructing the 'Abstract Stack'
C2 English often 'stacks' nouns to create a dense information payload. Look at this phrase:
*"...perceived American systemic decline..."
In this four-word string, the writer manages to convey:
- A subjective observation (perceived)
- A geographic/political entity (American)
- The nature of the failure (systemic)
- The direction of the trend (decline).
🛠 Sophistication Toolkit: The 'C2 Verbs of State'
Notice that the text avoids 'is' or 'has' in favor of verbs that signal analytical distance:
- 'Manifested as': Instead of saying "the sanctions caused," the writer says the consequences manifested as failures. This implies a systemic observation rather than a simple cause-effect link.
- 'Precipitated': A high-precision alternative to "caused" or "led to," specifically used for sudden, negative events (like power outages).
- 'Situated within': Instead of "this is part of," the text situates the friction within a framework, treating the political situation as a map or a structural entity.