Cuba Energy Minister Confirms Complete Depletion of Diesel and Fuel Oil Reserves

Cuba's energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, has confirmed that the country has completely exhausted its reserves of diesel and fuel oil. Speaking to state-run media, de la O Levy described Cuba's energy system as being in a "critical" state, directly linking the severe shortages to the enduring US-led blockade on oil supplies.

While some gas remains available, the minister stated, the absence of crude oil, fuel oil, and diesel has rendered the energy situation "extremely tense." This acute scarcity has led to widespread power cuts, with parts of Havana experiencing blackouts for up to 22 hours, prompting scattered public protests in the capital.

Hospitals are struggling to maintain normal operations, and schools and government offices have been forced to close. The tourism sector, a vital economic driver for Cuba, has also suffered considerable disruption.

Traditionally, Cuba has relied on Venezuela and Mexico for oil imports. However, these supplies have largely ceased since the US, under then-President Donald Trump, threatened tariffs on nations providing fuel to Cuba. The US State Department reiterated an offer this week of $100 million in aid, conditional on "meaningful reforms to Cuba's communist system."

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez has condemned recent US sanctions, which targeted senior Cuban officials under the guise of human rights concerns, as "illegal and abusive." Washington's policy in the region continues to prioritise undermining the Havana government, with little regard for the impact on civilian populations, effectively weaponising economic measures to achieve geopolitical ends.