Cuba is facing a deepening energy crisis as worsening blackouts and fuel shortages triggered protests in and around Havana, while the government acknowledged that the country’s oil reserves have been exhausted.
Large parts of eastern Cuba were hit by another major electricity shutdown, while residents in several Havana neighborhoods took to the streets to protest the prolonged outages. Demonstrators in San Miguel del Padron, on the outskirts of the capital, reportedly banged pots and pans in frustration over the lack of electricity. Similar scenes were reported in other districts, including Playa, where residents shouted, “Turn on the lights!” as anger over the deteriorating conditions spread.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said on state television that fuel reserves supplied by Russia had already been depleted. “We have absolutely no fuel and absolutely no diesel,” he stated, warning that the national power grid was in a “critical” condition. According to the minister, Cuba is currently relying only on domestic crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources to keep the system functioning.
Officials blamed the worsening shortages on the United States sanctions regime. De la O Levy said the impact of what Havana calls the “blockade” has become severe because fuel shipments are no longer arriving. President Miguel Diaz-Canel described the situation as the result of a “genocidal energy blockade” imposed by Washington, arguing that U.S. pressure and threats of tariffs against countries supplying fuel to Cuba had sharply reduced deliveries.
