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Cuba Faces Complete Fuel Depletion as U.S. Blockade Tightens

Cuba has exhausted its reserves of crude oil, fuel oil and diesel, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced Wednesday. The announcement comes as a U.S. blockade that began in January continues to cripple the island's energy sector. The fuel shortage has triggered blackouts lasting up to 22 hours daily in Havana, sparking protests Wednesday evening with hundreds blocking roads and demanding power restoration. De la O Levy characterized the situation as "extremely tense," warning the national grid has reached a "critical state" with no fuel reserves remaining. The country's sole resource is natural gas from domestic wells, which production has increased. Venezuela, historically Cuba's primary oil supplier, has been cut off since early January when the U.S. launched a military operation targeting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Trump administration has indicated willingness to negotiate with Cuba, though details remain sparse.