Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, energy minister says, as US blockade pushes island to brink

"“We have absolutely no fuel (oil), and absolutely no diesel,” the energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, said on state media, adding that the national grid was in a critical state. “We have no reserves.” Fuel oil is a product derived from crude oil distillation used to generate heat or power. The minister said blackouts had increased dramatically across Havana, with many neigbhourhoods in the capital without light for up to 22 hours a day."

"“The national grid, de la O Levy said, was operating entirely on domestic crude oil, natural gas and renewable energy.” Cuba has installed 1,300 megawatts of solar power over the past two years, but much of that capacity is lost to grid instability amid the fuel shortages, he said, reducing efficiency and output. He said Cuba continued negotiations to import fuel despite the blockade, but said rising global oil and transportation prices amid the US-Israeli war with Iran were further complicating that effort."

"“Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel,” he said. Neither Mexico nor Venezuela, once top suppliers of oil to Cuba, has sent fuel to the island since the US president, Donald Trump's January 2026 executive order threatening to slap tariffs on any country shipping fuel to the communist-run nation. Only a single large oil tanker, the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, has delivered crude oil to Cuba since December, providing temporary relief in April."

"The renewed power cuts in Havana and beyond come as the US blockade on fuel imports to Cuba enters its fourth month, crippling public services across the Caribbean island of nearly 10 million people. The UN last week called Trump's fuel blockade unlawful, saying it had obstructed the Cuban people's right to development while undermining their rights to food, education,"

Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, leaving the national grid in a critical state with no reserves. Blackouts have increased dramatically across Havana, with many neighborhoods without electricity for up to 22 hours per day. The grid is operating entirely on domestic crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy. Cuba has installed 1,300 megawatts of solar power, but grid instability from fuel shortages reduces efficiency and output. Cuba continues negotiations to import fuel despite the US blockade, but global oil and transportation prices and the US-Israeli war with Iran complicate efforts. Only one Russian-flagged tanker delivered crude oil since December, providing temporary relief in April. The UN has called the fuel blockade unlawful and harmful to development and rights to food and education.

Read at www.theguardian.com