Cuba is experiencing a deepening energy crisis as worsening power outages grip the nation following the depletion of its oil reserves, according to government officials. The communist-led government confirmed that fuel stocks have been exhausted, triggering fresh blackouts and rare public demonstrations near Havana.
Blackouts and Protests
On Thursday, May 14, eastern regions of the island were hit by another wave of electricity shutdowns. The previous day, dozens of residents staged protests in San Miguel del Padron, a suburb of Havana, expressing anger over the prolonged power cuts. The outages have become a daily reality for many Cubans, disrupting homes, businesses, and essential services.
Fuel Shortage Blamed on US Sanctions
Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy addressed the crisis on state television, revealing that oil reserves previously supplied by Russia have been completely used up. “Oil reserves sent by Russia have now run out,” he stated. Levy also attributed the situation to ongoing US sanctions, saying, “The impact of the blockade is indeed causing us significant harm… because we are still not receiving fuel.”
Images from Havana show residents resorting to cooking with firewood during the blackouts, highlighting the severity of the situation. The latest outage compounds months of energy instability in Cuba, where repeated power cuts have severely impacted daily life, economic activities, and public services.
Growing Frustration
The protests in San Miguel del Padron are among the most visible signs of public discontent in recent years. Residents have voiced frustration over the government’s inability to maintain a stable power supply, with many relying on alternative methods like firewood to prepare meals. The crisis underscores the challenges facing Cuba’s aging power infrastructure and its dependence on foreign fuel supplies.
