A US-led Blockade On Oil Shipments To Cuba Has Pushed The Country

A US-led blockade on oil shipments to Cuba has pushed the country into a deepening energy crisis, triggering blackouts of up to 20 to 22 hours a day in the capital, Havana, according to officials and reports. Cuban authorities say the island has been left with almost no diesel or fuel oil to keep its electricity grid running, forcing widespread power cuts across residential areas, hospitals and public services. Energy officials have described the national grid as operating in a “critical” condition, with severe shortages limiting generation capacity. The crisis has been driven by a sharp drop in fuel imports after the United States introduced measures restricting oil shipments to Cuba, warning third countries and companies against supplying fuel or facing penalties. The restrictions have disrupted traditional suppliers such as Mexico and Venezuela, while only limited shipments from other partners have reached the island in recent months. As a result, Havana and other regions have experienced prolonged rolling blackouts, with some neighbourhoods reportedly without electricity for most of the day. Officials say the grid is now relying heavily on limited domestic crude, natural gas and intermittent renewable output, which is not enough to meet national demand.The worsening outages have had a major impact on daily life. Residents report spoiled food, water shortages due to pump failures, and extreme heat conditions during prolonged darkness. Hospitals and essential services have also been affected, adding pressure to an already strained public system. The situation has also sparked public unrest in parts of Havana, with demonstrations and road blockades reported as residents demand a restoration of electricity. Authorities have increased security presence but have largely avoided direct confrontation with protesters.Cuban officials argue that the fuel shortage is the direct result of the US-led blockade, which they say is preventing the country from accessing global oil markets. The United Nations has also criticised the restrictions, describing them as harmful to the population’s basic rights and development. Meanwhile, Cuba says it is seeking new fuel suppliers and diplomatic solutions, but rising global oil prices and geopolitical tensions have made alternatives difficult to secure, leaving the country’s energy crisis unresolved.