The United States exhibits increasingly erratic behavior as it exerts control over nations worldwide. A prominent example of this was the implementation of elevated tariffs on various countries, a strategy aimed at intimidating foreign governments. Over 90 nations are facing these tariffs, including Brazil, where President Lula Da Silva resisted former President Donald Trump’s influence, resulting in tariffs reaching 50 percent. Likewise, India is also anticipated to experience the same punitive rates.
The imposition of tariffs on China was postponed following retaliatory measures from the Chinese government. In efforts to undermine Canadian sovereignty, Trump attempted to persuade Canada to merge with the US, designating it as the 51st state. When this tactic fell flat, Canada faced a 35 percent tariff, while Mexico—a neighboring country—was also subject to similar tariffs due to perceived obstinacy.
Switzerland, a typically neutral entity, was not spared, incurring a 39 percent tariff which will surely have ramifications on its economy.
To address this blatant aggression, the US Supreme Court ruled on February 20, declaring the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration illegal, stating that such measures require “clear congressional authorization.”
Trump responded dismissively, labeling the Supreme Court’s statements as nonsensical and denouncing some justices as a “disgrace” to the nation. Defiantly, he announced a universal increase of 10 percent on all tariffs worldwide.
In the last 14 months, the US has threatened to seize the Panama Canal and even consider military action in Greenland, disregarding its NATO allies. The US has engaged in airstrikes on Iran while simultaneously threatening total destruction of the nation. Additionally, it has expressed deep resentment toward Norway for not awarding Trump the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize—a prestigious honor not conferred by the Norwegian government. Furthermore, the US has invaded Venezuela, leading to the kidnapping of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who are currently held in New York. It has also issued threats against Colombia, Mexico, and Nicaragua.
Particularly fixated on Cuba, Trump stated, “Cuba looks like it’s ready to fall.”
Nevertheless, nations around the globe have risen staunchly in support of Cuba. On October 29, 2025, 165 countries voted at the United Nations General Assembly to demand the cessation of the US’s unilateral and illegal embargo against the island, a resolution that has been annually reiterated for the past thirty-three years.
Similarly, all African nations have echoed these calls, with representatives meeting on February 15, 2026, not only to urge the US to cease its hostility towards Cuba but also to advocate for removing Cuba from the list of nations allegedly endorsing terrorism.
One nation consistently opposing US embargoes and aggression towards Cuban sovereignty is Nigeria.
On February 24, mass organizations in Nigeria, including major labor unions—the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC)—along with civil society and political activists, convened in Abuja for a hybrid conference on Cuba.
Organized by the 42-year-old Nigeria Solidarity Movement with Cuba (NSMC), the conference highlighted why Africans regard Cuba as an integral part of the continent and reiterated Nigeria's overwhelming support for Cuba against US hostility.
Former Interior Minister and Honorary President of the solidarity movement, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, pointed out that over the last sixty years, Cuba has persistently sacrificed for the betterment of humanity. He emphasized, “We cannot but be historically grateful to a people who lost approximately four thousand of their youths on African soil fighting for the liberation of our continent. Furthermore, with 90 percent of Cubans being of African descent, it explains why Fidel Castro famously stated, ‘We are a Latin-American nation and a Latin-African nation as well.’”
Aregbesola further reasoned that international support for Cuba is especially critical now, noting, “As we hold this conference, Cuba is being asphyxiated by the US… It is in the enlightened self-interest of humanity to stand by Cuba.”
TUC President Festus Osifo declared that the workers' movement “strongly believes that no nation should suffer foreign intervention, coercive measures, or economic blockades that undermine its sovereignty and the welfare of its people.”
The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, made a strong statement: “To the people of Cuba: You are not alone. Your struggle for sovereignty is the world’s struggle for justice. We stand with you in solidarity until the blockade is lifted and your right to self-determination is fully respected.”
Femi Falana (SAN), the former President of the West Africa Bar Association, urged Nigerians to remember Cuba’s significant contributions to the independence movements across Africa, underscoring that all African nations have a moral obligation to assist Cuba in defending its sovereignty according to international law.
Femi Aborishade, Legal Adviser to the solidarity movement, stressed, “The debt we owe Cuba can never be fully repaid. We can only symbolically demonstrate that we recognize what Cuba has unconditionally provided for the oppressed people of the world, especially in Africa.”
He insisted on the need for discussions, agreements, and actionable solidarity measures to support Cuba, stating that concrete political and material support is essential.
Omoyele Sowore, leader of the African Action Congress, remarked that Cuba, as a relatively small nation, has restored dignity to its people. He suggested that Nigerians consider crowd funding, similar to support efforts during Apartheid.
Achike Chude, National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), reinforced that all human beings are entitled to basic rights, including dignity and that these rights must be safeguarded for the Cuban people.
Professor Al-Bishak, a prominent figure in Black Studies, noted the importance of the global rally, asserting, “Cuba has served as an inspiration to many developing countries, demonstrating resilience against external aggression and economic blockades imposed by imperialist nations.”
The gathering in Nigeria called for the immediate lifting of the US embargo and all sanctions against Cuba, as per existing UN resolutions. They demanded that the UN hold the US accountable should it fail to comply.
Moreover, they urged the kindness of nations like Nigeria, Angola, and South Africa to deliver urgent fuel and humanitarian assistance to Cuba.
The solidarity movement announced a new leadership, chaired by one of its founders, Comrade Salisu Nuhu Mohammed, with a mandate to promote solidarity actions in support of Cuba and strengthen ties with similar movements across Africa.
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