UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘The political system of Cuba is not on the table in any dialogue with the U.S.’
Q1. The 1996 U.S. statute that codified the Cuba embargo into law and threatened sanctions against foreign-owned companies investing in property expropriated by Cuba is known as which one of the following?
- A. Cuban Liberty and Democratic Solidarity (Helms-Burton) Act
- B. Cuban Democracy (Torricelli) Act
- C. Trading with the Enemy Act
- D. Foreign Assistance Act
Q2. The U.S. economic embargo against Cuba was first established by a presidential proclamation signed in 1962. As of 2026, it has therefore been in force for closest to how many years?
- A. 44 years
- B. 54 years
- C. 64 years
- D. 74 years
Q3. Which one of the following is the largest city in the Caribbean?
- A. Havana
- B. Santo Domingo
- C. San Juan
- D. Kingston
Q4. In the context of Cuba's strategic maritime setting, the 'Windward Passage' refers to which one of the following?
- A. The sea-lane running from the Atlantic to the Caribbean between Cuba and Haiti
- B. The strait separating Cuba from Florida, linking the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic
- C. The channel between Cuba and Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula
- D. The passage separating Cuba from Jamaica in the central Caribbean
Q5. Under Cuba's constitution, which single body is recognised as 'the leading force of society and the state', giving it ultimate political authority?
- A. Communist Party of Cuba
- B. National Assembly of People's Power
- C. Council of State
- D. Council of Ministers
Q6. With reference to the U.S. measures against Cuba, consider the following statements:
1. The decades-old embargo ('el bloqueo') mainly restricts trade and travel by persons and firms under U.S. jurisdiction, whereas the 2025–26 measure additionally involves interdicting oil tankers bound for Cuba on the high seas.
2. A January 2026 U.S. executive order threatened tariffs on third countries that ship fuel to Cuba.
3. The first oil tanker to reach Cuba in three months, a Russian vessel, docked at the port of Havana in April 2026.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The decades-old embargo ('el bloqueo') mainly restricts trade and travel by persons and firms under U.S. jurisdiction, whereas the 2025–26 measure additionally involves interdicting oil tankers bound for Cuba on the high seas.
- A January 2026 U.S. executive order threatened tariffs on third countries that ship fuel to Cuba.
- The first oil tanker to reach Cuba in three months, a Russian vessel, docked at the port of Havana in April 2026.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q7. The halting of shipments by which country — Cuba's main oil supplier — in early 2026 was the principal trigger of the island's acute fuel crisis and nationwide blackouts?
- A. Venezuela
- B. Mexico
- C. Russia
- D. Iran
Q8. With reference to India–Cuba relations, consider the following statements:
1. India and Cuba established diplomatic relations soon after India's independence and share Non-Aligned Movement links.
2. ONGC Videsh Ltd. has had a presence in Cuba's oil sector since 2009.
3. India has always voted against the annual UN General Assembly resolution that seeks an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- India and Cuba established diplomatic relations soon after India's independence and share Non-Aligned Movement links.
- ONGC Videsh Ltd. has had a presence in Cuba's oil sector since 2009.
- India has always voted against the annual UN General Assembly resolution that seeks an end to the U.S. embargo on Cuba.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. Cuba has, at various times alongside Iran, North Korea and Syria, been placed on which U.S. designation that limits foreign assistance and bans defense exports to the named country?
- A. State Sponsors of Terrorism list
- B. Specially Designated Nationals list
- C. Entity List
- D. Countries of Particular Concern