Cuba Faces Severe Blackouts as Fuel Crisis Deepens
Havana faces up to 22-hour blackouts as Cuba runs out of diesel, fuel oil
Business Standard
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Cuba is experiencing unprecedented rolling blackouts lasting up to 22 hours daily in Havana due to a complete shortage of diesel and fuel oil. The situation is exacerbated by a US blockade and rising global oil prices, leaving the national grid critically reliant on domestic resources.
- 01Havana faces rolling blackouts of 20 to 22 hours daily.
- 02Cuba's energy minister confirmed a total lack of diesel and fuel oil.
- 03The national grid is operating on limited domestic resources.
- 04Negotiations for fuel imports are hindered by rising global prices.
- 05The US blockade has severely impacted Cuba's fuel supply.
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Cuba is grappling with severe rolling blackouts, particularly in Havana, where residents are enduring power outages lasting 20 to 22 hours each day. The country's Energy and Mines Minister, Vicente de la O, announced that Cuba has completely run out of diesel and fuel oil, leading to a critical state of the national grid. The grid is now functioning solely on domestic crude oil, natural gas, and renewable energy sources, including 1,300 megawatts of solar power installed over the last two years. However, much of this renewable capacity is lost due to grid instability caused by fuel shortages. The situation is further complicated by rising global oil prices amid geopolitical tensions, particularly the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The US blockade on Cuba, which has been in effect for four months, has made it increasingly difficult for the island to secure fuel imports, with historical suppliers like Mexico and Venezuela not providing assistance since a January 2026 executive order by former President Trump. The United Nations has condemned the blockade as unlawful, stating it obstructs the Cuban people's rights to development, food, and health services.
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The ongoing blackouts are severely affecting daily life in Havana, leading to increased food and medicine shortages, and straining public services.
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