Cuba has completely run out of diesel and fuel oil, according to the country’s Energy Minister, Vicente de la O Levy, as the island faces one of its worst energy crises in decades.
Speaking in an interview with state media, the minister said Cuba’s power system is now in a “critical” condition, with the country relying mainly on limited natural gas production from domestic wells.
“We have absolutely no fuel oil and absolutely no diesel,” he said, adding that the government currently has no fuel reserves left.
The worsening shortage has triggered severe blackouts across the country, especially in the capital, Havana, where some communities reportedly experience electricity outages lasting between 20 and 22 hours daily.
The situation has disrupted daily life nationwide, with hospitals struggling to function, schools and government offices shutting down, and tourism activities suffering major setbacks.
Reuters reported that scattered protests broke out in Havana on Wednesday as frustrated residents reacted to the prolonged blackouts and worsening living conditions.
Cuba has traditionally depended on oil imports from Venezuela and Mexico, but supplies from both countries have reportedly declined after the administration of Donald Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions against nations supplying fuel to Cuba.
The United States has renewed a $100 million humanitarian aid offer to Cuba, saying the assistance would be distributed through the Catholic Church and humanitarian organisations. However, Washington accused the Cuban government of blocking critical aid from reaching citizens.
Cuba denied claims that it rejected the aid offer and has continued to blame the worsening crisis on the long-standing US blockade and recent sanctions imposed on senior Cuban officials.
Meanwhile, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described the latest US sanctions as “illegal and abusive.”
