Cuba Reports Complete Fuel Depletion Blaming U.S. Sanctions

Cuban officials said Wednesday that the island has completely run out of fuel needed to keep much of it running. They attributed the shortage to a monthslong U.S. sanctions campaign that has restricted fuel imports and deepened an existing energy crisis.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the country has “absolutely nothing” left in diesel fuel and oil reserves. This leaves Cuba’s power grid reliant on limited domestic crude production, natural gas, and renewable energy sources that have struggled to meet demand.

Authorities and media outlets reported blackouts stretching as long as 20 to 22 hours a day in parts of Havana and other areas across the island.

Cuban officials detailed a deficit of more than 2,000 megawatts during peak energy demand periods. They noted that the arrival of a single fuel tanker, far below the eight needed each month, had previously reduced the deficit and mitigated blackouts.

Officials said the sanctions had cut off traditional suppliers including Venezuela and Mexico. They described the measures as aimed at causing suffering among the population to turn them against the government.

U.S. Response and Offer of Aid The U.S.

State Department said Secretary Marco Rubio has made several private offers to provide assistance, including satellite internet support and $100 million in humanitarian aid. The department stated the Cuban government refused to allow the assistance on the island.

“The decision rests with the Cuban regime to accept our offer of assistance or deny critical life-saving aid and ultimately be accountable to the Cuban people for standing in the way of critical assistance,” the State Department said. The Trump administration has described the sanctions as pressure on the Cuban government rather than on ordinary citizens.