# Petro's final Cuba visit amid US sanctions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/petros-final-cuba-visit-amid-us-sanctions > Updated: 2026-08-01T20:33:17.000Z. Sources: 87. Developments: 2. Outgoing Colombian President Gustavo Petro began his last overseas trip on 31 July 2026, landing in Havana where he was received with military honors by President Miguel Díaz‑Canel. Over the next two days he denounced the United States’ “policy of strangulation” toward Cuba, urging President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to replace threats, blockades and the prospect of invasion with dialogue. Petro highlighted the humanitarian toll of the U.S. embargo, noting that about 15,000 Cuban children lack essential surgeries and that the oil and financial sanctions imposed in January 2026 have deepened fuel shortages, power outages and medical‑supply deficits. He praised Cuba’s long‑standing role in training Colombian doctors—more than 1,300 Colombian physicians have graduated from Cuban medical schools and 391 Colombian students were studying there at the time of his visit—and visited Colombian students at the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina. Petro called on the international community to show solidarity with Cuba, warning the United States must respect Cuban sovereignty and avoid any invasion, missile launch or further blockade. He framed his appeal as a “dialogue of civilizations.” China’s foreign ministry issued a parallel statement urging the United States to cease coercive measures. Cuban officials thanked Colombia for its support, reaffirmed Cuba’s commitment to peace processes in Colombia, and reiterated the ongoing training of Colombian medical students in Havana. The visit occurred as right‑wing president‑elect Abelardo de la Espriella announced plans to sever diplomatic ties with Cuba after taking office, and a car‑bomb attack in Cúcuta on 1 August injured ten people, including eight police officers. Petro prepared to leave office on 7 August. ## Claims - Gustavo Petro arrived in Havana on 31 July 2026. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Petro met Cuban President Miguel Díaz‑Canel during the visit. (corroborated by 11 sources) - Petro called on the United States to respect Cuba's sovereignty and avoid invasion. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Petro criticized the U.S. energy blockade and sanctions that cause fuel, electricity and medical shortages in Cuba. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Petro urged international solidarity with Cuba. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Petro said about 15,000 Cuban children need medical operations and medicines blocked by the U.S. embargo. (corroborated by 5 sources) - Colombia's incoming president Abelardo de la Espriella announced plans to sever diplomatic relations with Cuba. (corroborated by 4 sources) - Petro's visit was his last official trip before leaving the Colombian presidency on 7 August 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Petro proposed a dialogue between civilizations involving the United States and Cuba. (corroborated by 3 sources) - U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized Cuba as a security threat and alleged extensive espionage activities. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Petro criticized U.S. sanctions and a military deployment in the Caribbean under President Donald Trump. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-01: Gustavo Petro calls for solidarity with Cuba during final visit Gustavo Petro’s final visit to Cuba (31 July 2026) saw him meet President Díaz‑Canel, call on the U.S. to respect Cuban sovereignty, warn against invasion, and urge global solidarity amid a U.S. blockade that h 41 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombian-president-gustavo-petro-urges-us-to-respect-cubas-sovereignty-during-havana-visit ### 2026-07-30: Gustavo Petro's Final Official Trip to Cuba Amid Rising Tensions President Gustavo Petro made his final foreign trip to Cuba on 31 July 2026, meeting President Díaz‑Canel, condemning U.S. sanctions and urging dialogue, as his successor plans to cut ties and a car‑bomb attack 60 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/colombian-president-gustavo-petro-makes-final-trip-to-cuba --- Cite as: Petro's final Cuba visit amid US sanctions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/petros-final-cuba-visit-amid-us-sanctions