Cuba Faces Deepening Energy Crisis as Fuel Imports Dry Up

Prolonged blackouts and economic strain as geopolitical tensions disrupt fuel supplies

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Cuba is facing a mounting energy crisis marked by prolonged blackouts and economic strain as fuel imports from Venezuela and Mexico have been disrupted following political changes in those countries and a new White House order threatening tariffs on oil exports to Cuba. The country's electricity system is heavily dependent on imported oil, with around 60% of its fuel needs coming from abroad. Experts warn the situation is likely to worsen in the coming months as Cuba struggles to find alternative suppliers.

Why it matters

Cuba's energy crisis has far-reaching implications, impacting daily life for millions of Cubans through frequent and extended power outages. The disruption to fuel imports also threatens to further strain the country's economy, which is already grappling with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The geopolitical tensions at play, including the threat of US tariffs on oil exports to Cuba, add an additional layer of complexity to the situation.

The details

Cuba has historically relied on imports of petroleum products from Venezuela and Mexico to meet around 60% of its energy needs. However, this supply chain has been disrupted following the change of regime in Venezuela and a new White House executive order threatening tariffs on countries that export oil to Cuba. As a result, the country has had to ration fuel and impose widespread power outages, with an estimated 50-60% of consumers experiencing the most significant impact. Cuba's own domestic oil production can only meet around half of its electricity generation needs, leaving it highly vulnerable to disruptions in imports.

  • In the second half of 2025, fuel scarcity became a significant problem in Cuba, leading to longer and more frequent power outages.
  • Since the beginning of 2026, Cuba has gone around a month without any fuel imports.

The players

Ricardo Torres

An expert on the Cuban energy sector and a fellow in economics at the American University in Washington, DC.

Nicolás Maduro

The former president of Venezuela, whose ouster has disrupted Cuba's fuel imports.

Donald Trump

The former US president who issued an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that export oil to Cuba.

Claudia Sheinbaum

The current president of Mexico, who is in a difficult position as Mexico negotiates the USMCA trade deal with the US while also providing some symbolic humanitarian aid to Cuba.

Havana Energy

A joint venture between the Cuban government and a British company that has invested over $300 million in a biomass project to generate electricity, but is not yet producing any power.

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What they’re saying

“The reality is that Cuba does not have the capacity or the fuel to generate enough electricity. The government estimated toward the end of last year that fuel shortages were responsible for 40%–45% of the deficit. The problems in the power plants are the other issue.”

— Ricardo Torres, Expert on the Cuban energy sector (bnamericas.com)

“Cuba has got trapped in bad geopolitics. There is a very aggressive US government now, with someone of Cuban origin as the secretary of state, for whom Cuba is a personal issue. Venezuela is now controlled by the United States.”

— Ricardo Torres, Expert on the Cuban energy sector (bnamericas.com)

What’s next

Experts warn that the situation in Cuba is likely to worsen in the coming months as the country struggles to find alternative fuel suppliers to replace the disrupted imports from Venezuela and Mexico. The Cuban government may attempt to negotiate with the US to have the pressure eased, but this could be complicated given the US's demands for regime change.

The takeaway

Cuba's energy crisis highlights the country's vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and disruptions in its fuel supply chain. The crisis has far-reaching impacts on daily life and the broader economy, underscoring the urgent need for Cuba to diversify its energy sources and reduce its reliance on imported oil. Resolving the crisis will require significant investment and economic reforms, as well as a delicate diplomatic balancing act for the Cuban government.