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Protests have erupted in Havana as Cuba grapples with a severe fuel crisis that has plunged large parts of the island into darkness, according to multiple reports. Witnesses and local media described residents in several neighbourhoods taking to the streets, banging pots and lighting fires to voice frustration over electricity blackouts that have become a daily occurrence.

Coverage comparison

Reporting from Africa News and Al Jazeera converged on the core facts: Cuba is experiencing widespread power outages caused by an acute shortage of fuel, and the government has acknowledged the severity of the situation. Both outlets cited Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy, who said during a press conference that the country had "absolutely no fuel, oil, and absolutely no diesel," according to Africa News. Al Jazeera similarly reported that oil reserves sent by Russia had run out, leaving the island dependent on limited domestic production.

The two sources differed slightly in emphasis. Africa News framed the story primarily around the protests and the visible security presence in Havana, noting that "scattered protests" had broken out and that the government had announced the exhaustion of fuel reserves. Al Jazeera, meanwhile, gave more weight to the humanitarian and infrastructural dimensions, reporting that elderly thermal plants were regularly breaking down and that the crisis had intensified since January, when tighter US restrictions disrupted fuel imports.

Both outlets attributed the root cause to the US embargo and recent sanctions. Africa News quoted President Miguel Diaz-Canel describing the situation as the result of a "genocidal energy blockade" imposed by the United States. Al Jazeera similarly reported that the government blamed the embargo and sanctions for the shortages, while also noting that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had offered $100 million in aid to Cuba in exchange for reforms — a claim carried by a single source and not yet independently confirmed.

Key claims

  • Protests broke out in Havana neighbourhoods as residents expressed anger over electricity blackouts, according to Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • Cuba's fuel reserves have run out, following the depletion of a 100,000-tonne emergency shipment of Russian crude oil that arrived in late March, as reported by both outlets.
  • Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy stated that the country had no fuel or diesel reserves left, and that only domestic gas and crude oil production were ongoing, according to Africa News.
  • The US embargo and recent sanctions are blamed by the Cuban government for the worsening energy crisis, with President Diaz-Canel referring to a "genocidal energy blockade," as reported by both Africa News and Al Jazeera.
  • Cuba's energy infrastructure consists of eight ageing thermoelectric plants, several of which have been operating for over 40 years and break down regularly, according to Al Jazeera.
  • Around 65 percent of the country experienced simultaneous blackouts earlier this week, with some parts of Havana facing outages lasting more than 19 hours a day, per Al Jazeera citing data compiled by AFP.
  • The crisis has intensified since January, when the United States imposed tighter restrictions on fuel imports to Cuba, according to Al Jazeera.
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio offered $100 million in aid to Cuba in exchange for reforms, a claim reported by a single source and not yet independently verified.

Perspectives

The Cuban government, as quoted by both outlets, frames the current crisis as a direct consequence of the long-standing US embargo and the recent tightening of sanctions. President Diaz-Canel characterised the situation in stark terms, describing it as a "genocidal energy blockade" aimed at crippling the island's economy. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy echoed this, saying the country was struggling to secure fuel imports because of external pressures.

From the perspective of residents, as reflected in the reporting, the blackouts have become an unbearable daily burden. The protests in Havana — the most visible sign of popular discontent — signal a growing frustration with the government's inability to maintain basic services, even as officials point to external factors. The fact that protests have occurred despite a visible security presence suggests that patience may be wearing thin.

Al Jazeera's reporting adds an international dimension by noting that the US administration, led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has proposed financial aid to Cuba — a gesture that, if confirmed, would stand in sharp contrast to the sanctions policy. However, given the single-source nature of this claim, it remains unclear whether such an offer has been formally made or accepted.

Outlook

The fuel crisis in Cuba shows little sign of abating. With the island's ageing power plants frequently breaking down and fuel imports severely restricted, the immediate future looks bleak for the population. The government's reliance on domestic production and solar energy is a stopgap measure, not a solution. Meanwhile, the protests in Havana may escalate if the blackouts continue, putting additional pressure on the authorities. Whether the international community, and particularly the United States, responds with relief or further sanctions will be a key factor in shaping the trajectory of this deepening crisis.