Cuba's Energy Crisis Deepens as US Blockade Sparks Protests

Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis as diesel and fuel oil supplies have been completely exhausted, according to the country's energy minister. The nation's energy and mines minister, Vicente de la O Levy, revealed that the national grid is in a 'critical' state with no reserves of essential fuels. Havana has faced its worst rolling blackouts in decades, leading to widespread protests where citizens blocked roads with burning rubbish and demanded electricity. The US blockade, intensified under President Donald Trump, has crippled fuel imports, leaving parts of the capital without power for 20 to 22 hours daily.

The crisis has severely impacted public services, with hospitals, schools, and government offices forced to close. Tourism, a key economic sector, has also suffered. Cuba, which previously relied on Venezuela and Mexico for oil, now receives only limited supplies from a single Russian tanker. The US has offered $100 million in aid conditional on 'meaningful reforms' to Cuba's communist system, but the offer remains unaccepted. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel has blamed the US for the crisis, calling the blockade 'genocidal' and accusing Washington of threatening tariffs on countries that aid Cuba.

Protests in Havana have grown more frequent, with residents demanding basic services. In the San Miguel del Padron neighborhood, citizens shouted 'Turn on the lights!' as blackouts persisted. The United Nations has condemned the US blockade as unlawful, citing its violation of Cuba's right to development and access to essential resources. Meanwhile, the US State Department reiterated its aid offer, emphasizing coordination with humanitarian organizations to distribute assistance.

Cuba's energy minister acknowledged the 'extremely tense' situation, highlighting that the only available fuel comes from domestic gas wells. Residents like Rodolfo Alonso in Havana's Playa district described the hardship, with elderly people struggling and food spoiling due to prolonged outages. The crisis has also triggered diplomatic tensions, as Cuban officials denounced US sanctions as 'illegal and abusive' following new measures targeting senior officials over alleged human rights abuses.