Cuba Faces Severe Fuel Shortages, Widespread Blackouts, and Public Protests

Cuba is grappling with extensive power outages after depleting its fuel reserves, leading to public protests in Havana and other regions. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced on Wednesday that the country has "absolutely no fuel, oil, and absolutely no diesel," attributing the crisis to challenges in securing fuel imports.

The state-run Electric Union reported a major failure in the national power grid early Thursday, causing widespread blackouts across eastern provinces from Guantánamo to Ciego de Ávila. Restoration efforts are underway, but no timeline has been provided.

In Havana, residents have endured outages lasting up to 22 hours, prompting demonstrations. In the Bahía neighborhood, people protested by banging pots and pans, expressing frustration over the prolonged blackouts. Similar protests occurred in Marianao, where residents blocked streets after more than 20 hours without electricity.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel described the energy situation as "tense," citing U.S. sanctions as a contributing factor. He noted that the country faced a deficit of over 2,000 megawatts during peak demand hours.

The crisis has severely impacted daily life for Cuba's 10 million inhabitants, with reports of food spoilage and canceled hospital surgeries. The aging power grid, reliant on imported fossil fuels, has become increasingly fragile amid the economic downturn and fuel shortages.

In response to the crisis, the U.S. has offered $100 million in aid, contingent upon distribution through the Catholic Church rather than the Cuban government. Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez indicated openness to discussions on the proposal.