Cuba Hunkers Down as a US Oil Blockade Brings a Humanitarian Crisis

"The Cuban government has drastically cut energy and fuel consumption and is downsizing and decentralizing most activity to the local level, where people can walk and use non-fossil-fuel-driven transportation, as the Trump administration blocks oil from reaching the import-dependent country, sparking concerns of a pending humanitarian crisis. Early last month, the United States cut off all oil and money going to Cuba from Venezuela,"

"Last year, Cuba survived on an estimated 100,000 barrels of oil and derivatives per day, 65 percent of what the country needs to stabilize the economy, which is down 16 percent since 2019. Around 40 percent of the oil and gas equivalent was produced at home, a poor-quality oil used mainly in thermoelectric plants. Venezuela exported 30 percent to the island, 20 percent came from Mexico, and the rest from Russia and the spot market."

""There is a lot of fear, and there is a lot of psychological impact on ship owners, shipping companies, and countries that can supply us with fuel," President Miguel Díaz-Canel said during a press conference earlier this month as he announced almost no fuel had arrived this year and outlined a series of emergency measures. Cuban oil cannot be refined, so the country needs to import oil and derivatives for diesel and gasoline or most everything will simply stop."

Cuba has drastically reduced energy and fuel consumption and shifted activity to local levels to enable walking and non-fossil transport. The United States cut off oil and money from Venezuela and threatened tariffs on countries exporting oil to Cuba, with Mexico targeted. Last year Cuba received about 100,000 barrels per day, roughly 65 percent of needs and down 16 percent since 2019; 40 percent came from low-quality domestic production, 30 percent from Venezuela, 20 percent from Mexico, and the remainder from Russia and spot markets. Cuban crude is unrefinable, creating dependence on imported diesel and gasoline. Officials reported almost no fuel arrivals this year and announced emergency measures. Market vendors report fewer stalls and growing fear about food reaching Havana's population.

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