Cuba is facing an acute fuel and electricity crisis after officials say the country has completely run out of diesel and fuel oil needed to operate power plants. Multiple outlets report that nationwide blackouts are worsening, with some areas experiencing hours-long outages and residents in Havana protesting rolling power cuts. Images and reporting describe people gathering outdoors and around fires during periods without electricity.
Cuban officials, including the energy minister, describe the situation as “extremely tense,” and some reports say Cuba has “absolutely no” reserves. The crisis is attributed by the sources to US-led sanctions and pressure that restrict oil supply and disrupt energy deliveries.
Several outlets link the current disruption to heightened US actions and threats involving Venezuela’s oil shipments, noting that the US has pressured or targeted Venezuela and signaled potential further measures affecting any countries supplying fuel to Cuba. While outlets differ in how strongly they characterize the US role, they broadly agree that Cuba’s lack of diesel and fuel oil is driving the power shortages and public unrest.
