The Guardian view on Cuba: Trump says he can do ‘anything I want’ to the island. It doesn’t belong to him | Editorial

Buoyed by his removal of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, the US president is intensifying an economic stranglehold and military menace

While the world watched the pomp of Donald Trump's trip to Beijing, the US was turning up the pressure thousands of miles away. Its oil blockade has plunged Cuba into a humanitarian crisis, sparking nationwide blackouts that have prompted rare protests, closing schools and universities and leaving hospitals battling to treat patients. Surveillanceflightsare circling. US media reported this weekend that federal prosecutors are preparing an indictment for Raul Castro, the 94-year-old former president and brother of Fidel. MrTrump has casually observed, while bragging about the kidnapping of Venezuela's then leader NicolasMaduro in January, that Cuba is next".

A military assault on Havana would be vastly more fraught for the US - even without the war on Iran - and disastrous for Cubans. Washington hopes that threats and privation will be sufficient. UN experts warn that the blockade is unlawful, puts human rights at risk and may amount to collective punishment. The government admitted on Wednesday that fuel oil had run out. Tourism has collapsed. The Canadian mining company Sherritt pulled out of a joint venture and countries have axed their contracts for Cuban doctors - a vital source of income for the island, and trained medical staff for others. Havana may hope that it can stagger on. But Mr Trump is not patient.