Cuba runs out of fuel and diesel amid US oil blockade

Under a continuing US blockade, Cuba has absolutely no reserves of diesel or fuel oil, said the country's energy minister "We have no fuel oil, no diesel," Vicente de La O Levy was quoted as saying by local media.

"We have absolutely no fuel (oil), and absolutely no diesel," Energy Minister Vicente de la O said on state-run media on Wednesday, adding that the national grid was in a "critical" state.

"We have no reserves."

The country's top energy official said Cuba continued negotiations to import fuel despite the blockade, but said rising global oil and transportation prices amid the US-Israeli war with Iran were further complicating that effort.

"Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel," the minister said.

Fuel crisis

Cuba reportedly produces approximately 40,000 barrels of oil per day but consumes well over twice that, between 90,000 and 110,000, making it structurally dependent on imports that have now virtually disappeared.

The Cuban government announced on Tuesday that it will liberalise fuel prices, ending the fixed-price regime on energy commodities amid US economic sanctions and worsening fuel shortages.

Cuba is facing a fuel crisis amid the US oil embargo, imposed on January 30, along with widespread power outages.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that Cuba is "next" after the US war against Iran and that the Caribbean Island will fail "soon."

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Source: TRT