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Cuba Runs Out of Fuel as Blackouts Stir Protests in Havana

Cuban leaders blame a U.S. fuel blockade for the collapse.

Overview

  • The energy minister, who disclosed Wednesday that diesel and fuel oil reserves are gone, said the power system is in a critical state.
  • The grid operator reported a partial collapse early Thursday in eastern provinces, with power restored gradually to some essential services.
  • Havana saw rare street protests Wednesday night as outages stretched to 20–22 hours, with residents banging pots, burning trash, and calling for electricity.
  • The United States restated a $100 million humanitarian offer conditioned on reforms and delivery through the Catholic Church, and Cuba’s foreign minister said he is ready to hear the details.
  • Fuel imports dried up after Trump’s January tariff threat, a single Russian donation has been used up, and Cuba is leaning on limited domestic oil, gas, and solar that lack battery storage.