Cuba’s energy minister announced Wednesday that the Caribbean nation has completely depleted its diesel and fuel oil supplies, leaving the capital experiencing the most severe power outages in decades as U.S. sanctions continue to restrict fuel imports to the island.
“We have absolutely no fuel (oil), and absolutely no diesel,” Energy Minister Vicente de la O stated during a government media appearance, describing the national power system as being in a “critical” condition. “We have no reserves.”
The minister reported that power outages have intensified significantly over recent weeks throughout Havana, with numerous districts experiencing darkness for 20 to 22 hours each day. This development adds to the mounting difficulties facing residents who are already dealing with severe shortages of food, fuel and medical supplies.
According to de la O, the country’s electrical system is now running exclusively on domestic crude oil, natural gas and renewable energy sources.
While Cuba has added 1,300 megawatts of solar energy capacity during the previous two years, much of this power generation is being lost due to electrical grid instability caused by the fuel crisis, the minister explained, which diminishes both efficiency and total power output.
The nation’s leading energy official indicated that Cuba is continuing efforts to secure fuel imports despite the sanctions, though he noted that increasing worldwide oil costs and shipping expenses related to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran are creating additional complications for these procurement efforts.
“Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel,” the minister stated.
Both Mexico and Venezuela, which previously served as major oil suppliers to Cuba, have halted fuel shipments to the island following an executive order issued in January 2026 that threatens tariffs against any nation providing fuel to the communist-governed country.
Since December, only one major oil vessel, the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin, has successfully delivered crude oil to Cuba, offering brief assistance to the island during April.
These latest power disruptions in Havana and other areas occur as the U.S. fuel embargo against Cuba reaches its fourth month, severely impacting public services throughout the Caribbean island home to nearly 10 million residents.
The United Nations recently condemned the fuel blockade as illegal, stating it has hindered the “Cuban people’s right to development while undermining their rights to food, education, health, and water and sanitation.”
