Cuba has run out of diesel and fuel oil, leaving the island's energy system and power grid in a critical state [1].

This shortage threatens the stability of the nation's infrastructure and has led to civil unrest. The lack of fuel disrupts basic services and essential power generation, pushing the government to confront a failing electrical grid.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said fuel has "run out" [2]. The crisis follows a four-month U.S. oil blockade that has halted fuel shipments to the island [3].

These shortages triggered widespread rolling blackouts across the country. In the capital city of Havana, protests broke out on May 13, 2024 [4]. Dave Sherwood of Reuters said protests occurred as the city confronted its worst rolling blackouts in decades [5].

Beyond the power grid, the fuel crisis is impacting other public sectors. A UN spokesperson said they remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation [6]. Other reports indicate that Cuba's strained health system is approaching a critical point as a result of the fuel crisis [7].

The Cuban government attributes the collapse of its energy supplies to the sustained U.S. blockade. These sanctions have choked off the diesel and oil supplies necessary to maintain the island's power plants [1, 3].

“fuel has "run out"”

The total depletion of fuel reserves highlights the vulnerability of Cuba's energy infrastructure to external trade restrictions. By cutting off the supply of diesel and fuel oil, the U.S. blockade has created a cascading failure that moves from energy production to public health and social stability, as evidenced by the protests in Havana.