The Cuban government confirmed on May 14, 2026 [1], that the island has exhausted its reserves of diesel and fuel oil.
The crisis threatens the island's basic infrastructure and transport networks. Because fuel oil is critical for power generation, the shortage has triggered rolling blackouts across the country, disrupting homes and businesses in Havana and beyond.
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the government is seeking new suppliers to mitigate the collapse. The shortage has left fuel stations empty, leaving citizens unable to access petrol or diesel for vehicles.
"Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel," de la O Levy said [1].
Cuban officials attribute the depletion of stocks to a U.S. blockade and sanctions. Government representatives said these measures have cut off essential fuel imports, effectively draining the nation's strategic reserves [2, 3, 4].
A spokesperson for the Cuban government said oil and diesel supplies have run dry under U.S. sanctions [3]. The lack of fuel has created a cascade of failures in the energy grid, as the plants that provide electricity rely on these specific oil reserves to operate.
While the government seeks international partners, the immediate impact remains visible at city pumps in Havana, where fuel is currently unavailable [2, 1]. The situation persists as the administration attempts to bypass the restrictions imposed by the U.S. blockade [4].
“Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel.”
This energy collapse highlights the vulnerability of Cuba's centralized power grid to external trade restrictions. By depleting its strategic reserves, the state faces a critical failure in maintaining public order and basic services, potentially increasing domestic pressure on the government to negotiate new trade terms or seek emergency aid from geopolitical allies.
