Information
Cubans are bracing for a deepening energy crisis after US President Donald Trump vowed to block Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, threatening a key lifeline for the island amid ongoing blackouts and shortages. Venezuela, which supplied about a third of Cuba’s oil needs, has not sent crude or fuel for roughly a month, according to shipping data, even before recent US actions against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The halt has raised fears of a “catastrophic” scenario, experts say, as Cuba already struggles with food, medicine, and fuel shortages. While Havana has not yet seen severe new impacts, many rural areas already face frequent power outages and rely on charcoal, bicycles, and horse-drawn transport.
Cuba has few alternatives to replace Venezuelan oil, with limited help expected from allies such as Mexico or Russia, and no clear indication of how large the country’s fuel reserves may be. President Miguel Díaz-Canel has rejected US pressure, vowing to defend Cuba’s sovereignty, but ordinary citizens express anxiety over growing uncertainty. Although Mexico recently sent a small fuel shipment, it falls far short of Cuba’s needs, leaving many residents worried that prolonged shortages could soon worsen living conditions across the island.
Source: Reuters
So What
This development could represent a tipping point for Cuba as it loses regional support and more distant allies, such as Russia, are increasingly preoccupied with their own challenges. While Mexico or other suppliers may provide limited fuel to sustain essential services, it is unlikely the United States would tolerate deliveries sufficient to keep the broader economy functioning. Prolonged shortages could trigger public unrest and protests against the government, though the scale and timing of any backlash will likely depend on how the situation in Venezuela evolves in the near term.
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