Havana faced a complete power outage Monday, plunging the city and much of the island into darkness, as the U.S. Embassy in Havana’s request to import diesel fuel was rejected by the Cuban government. The outage, lasting nearly 30 hours nationally, underscores a deepening energy crisis fueled by a U.S. Fuel blockade, according to reports.
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Relations reportedly characterized the U.S. Embassy’s request as “bold” and “shameless,” asserting that the embassy should not have special access to fuel unavailable to the Cuban population. “The Ministry interprets as shameless the claim by the diplomatic mission to access a good as a privilege that it denies to the Cuban people,” a translation of the ministry’s note stated, as reported by The Washington Post.
The U.S. Embassy had sought to import two containers of diesel to power generators, warning the State Department that dwindling fuel supplies could force the evacuation of nonessential staff as early as May. The potential staff reduction would likely prompt a reciprocal demand from Cuba for a similar drawdown at the U.S. Embassy in Washington, according to U.S. Officials familiar with the matter.
The current crisis stems from the Trump administration’s policies, which included cutting off Cuba’s access to subsidized oil from Venezuela after the removal of Nicolás Maduro from power. This action, coupled with broader sanctions, has created a severe fuel shortage impacting all aspects of Cuban life, from transportation and electricity to water access and healthcare. Hospitals have been forced to cancel surgeries, schools have reduced class schedules, and garbage collection has become sporadic, contributing to unsanitary conditions.
The White House, State Department, and Cuban Embassy in Washington have not yet responded to requests for comment on the rejected fuel request or the ongoing power outages. Cuba has struggled with oil supplies since the disruption of shipments from Venezuela, a former key ally. The U.S. Has also threatened tariffs against any nation supplying Cuba with oil, further restricting access to vital energy resources.
Recent reports indicate that Cuba is facing its most significant hardship since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Although tankers carrying Russian oil are reportedly en route to the island, the U.S. Has stated that Cuba cannot accept these shipments. The situation is further complicated by frequent, widespread blackouts that have become commonplace across the country, impacting the daily lives of more than 11 million Cubans.
As of Friday, the State Department had not announced any immediate plans to reduce staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, and the Cuban government has maintained its refusal to allow the fuel import.
