The Cuban government announced on May 13 [2] that the nation has completely run out of crude oil, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.

This energy collapse threatens the basic stability of the island, as the lack of fuel has halted power generation and crippled the distribution of essential goods. The crisis occurs against a backdrop of long-standing U.S. economic blockades and sanctions that have restricted Cuba's access to energy markets.

In the capital city of Havana, the impact is most severe. Residents are experiencing power outages that last between 20 and 22 hours per day [1]. These prolonged blackouts have led to a deepening food crisis, as refrigeration and transport systems fail.

Energy and Mining Minister Delarevi detailed the extent of the shortage during a public address. "(Cuba's) crude oil and heavy oil have run out. There is no diesel fuel," Delarevi said [3]. The minister said that the country had completely exhausted its supplies of both heavy oil and diesel fuel [3].

Despite the humanitarian crisis, high-level diplomatic activity continues between the two nations. On May 14 [4], U.S. CIA Director Ratcliffe traveled to Havana to hold meetings with senior Cuban officials. The nature of these discussions remains undisclosed, though they follow a period of intense pressure from the U.S. administration.

Cuban officials attribute the current catastrophe to U.S. sanctions, which they said block fuel shipments from other nations. Reports indicate the Trump administration has warned countries that supply fuel to Cuba of potential sanctions, while President Trump said, "I can do what I want" [5].

“The Cuban government announced on May 13 that the nation has completely run out of crude oil, heavy oil, and diesel fuel.”

The total exhaustion of fuel reserves marks a critical failure of Cuba's energy infrastructure, pushing the country toward a systemic humanitarian emergency. The timing of CIA Director Ratcliffe's visit to Havana suggests that the U.S. may be using the energy crisis as strategic leverage in diplomatic or intelligence negotiations, while the Cuban government utilizes the public suffering to highlight the impact of the U.S. embargo on the global stage.