Financial and maritime sanctions from President Donald Trump's administration are pushing Cuba into energy isolation. Although the US Supreme Court has rejected some sanctions plans, the actual blockades still block the flow of crude oil into this island nation.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla warned that the US is deliberately causing a large-scale crisis by preventing oil tankers - the resource that operates 80% of the national power system.
The severe shortage has led to prolonged alternating power outages, paralyzing the operations of hospitals and schools. Many traditional suppliers, especially Mexico, have been forced to temporarily suspend transportation contracts due to concerns about retaliatory measures from Washington.
The US Coast Guard also increased the frequency of control in the Caribbean Sea, making oil tankers almost unable to access Cuban seaports.
To maintain minimum living standards, people in many areas have had to return to using firewood and charcoal for cooking.
Faced with this situation, strategic partners are stepping up support for Cuba's transition to clean energy, such as committing to help build a series of solar power farms and actively sharing experiences and techniques for wind power development. However, experts believe that these projects cannot rescue Cuba from the immediate fuel crisis.
Geopolitical tensions in the region are escalating as Mexico affirms it will not abandon its allies and continues to send humanitarian aid shipments. The persistence of the Cuban people in the face of economic pressures is becoming the focus of international public opinion.
If there is no timely solution to remove the crude oil artery, Cuba is facing the risk of a complete collapse of the national power grid in just a few weeks, creating unpredictable humanitarian consequences.
