U.S. Military Presence Chokes Off Cuba's Fuel Supply

Blockade-like actions by the Trump administration have pushed Cuba to the brink of a humanitarian crisis.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Cuba is facing a severe fuel shortage as the U.S. military has effectively blockaded the island, intercepting ships carrying oil to Cuba and scaring off other nations from providing fuel. This has led to widespread blackouts, shortages of gasoline and cooking gas, and dwindling supplies of diesel that power the nation's water pumps. The U.S. has stopped short of calling its actions a blockade, but experts say it is functioning as one, plunging Cuba into one of its darkest moments since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Why it matters

The U.S. embargo on Cuba has deeply complicated life for its residents for over six decades, and now the blockade of oil tankers is pushing the island toward a potential humanitarian crisis that could threaten the government. Cuba's fuel reserves could be depleted by mid-March, triggering social unrest.

The details

The U.S. military has seized ships supporting Cuba and is policing the waters around the island, blocking oil shipments. President Trump signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba, scaring off potential suppliers like Mexico. Several ships have attempted to bring fuel to Cuba but have been intercepted or turned back by U.S. authorities.

  • On January 29, Trump declared a national emergency and threatened tariffs against nations providing petroleum to Cuba.
  • On February 10, the tanker Ocean Mariner changed course toward Cuba but made a U-turn 65 miles from the island when it appeared to realize it was being pursued.
  • On February 11, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel intercepted the Ocean Mariner and escorted it into Dominican waters.
  • On February 17, the tanker Gas Exelero sailed from Cuba to Curaçao but left the port empty-handed.
  • Since October, at least four vessels with links to Cuba have anchored near the port of Kingston, Jamaica, but have not docked or taken on any cargo.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who signed an executive order threatening tariffs on countries providing oil to Cuba.

Miguel Díaz-Canel

The president of Cuba, who has said he is open to negotiating with Washington but is promising to find ways around the blockade.

Fulton Armstrong

The former lead Latin America analyst for the CIA, who has been studying Cuba since 1984 and says the current U.S. actions constitute a blockade.

Jorge Piñón

A former oil executive who runs a team at the University of Texas at Austin tracking Cuba's oil, estimating the country's fuel reserves could be depleted by mid-March.

Claudia Sheinbaum

The president of Mexico, who has tried to walk a fine line, sending humanitarian aid to Cuba but halting oil shipments after Trump's threats of tariffs.

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What they’re saying

“Since the Cuban missile crisis, this is the biggest step. And the Cubans will have to make a decision of whether to surrender.”

— Fulton Armstrong, Former CIA Latin America analyst (The New York Times)

“You cannot suffocate a people like this.”

— Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico (The New York Times)

“We are making every effort so that the country can once again have fuel. We have to do very hard, very creative and very intelligent work to overcome all these obstacles.”

— Miguel Díaz-Canel, President of Cuba (The New York Times)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.