Cuba Faces Severe Economic Crisis Amid Fuel Import Decline

Cuba is currently grappling with a severe economic crisis exacerbated by a significant decline in fuel imports. According to OnCuba News, fuel imports have plummeted by one-third compared to the same period last year, with reports indicating a drop from 69,400 barrels per day in 2024 to about 45,400 barrels per day in 2025. This reduction is particularly pronounced in shipments from Mexico and Venezuela, two of Cuba's primary energy allies. Specifically, imports from Mexico have fallen drastically by 73%, from 18,800 barrels per day last year to approximately 5,000 barrels per day, as reported by CubaNet. Meanwhile, Venezuelan fuel imports dropped by about 15%, now standing at around 27,400 barrels per day.

The implications of this decline are dire, particularly for Cuba's already strained energy infrastructure. The drop in fuel supply has directly contributed to ongoing and severe electricity shortages across the island. According to reports, approximately 900 megawatts of electrical capacity, nearly one-third of Cuba’s daily demand, have been rendered inactive due to the lack of fuel and lubricants necessary for power generation. This situation has resulted in prolonged blackouts affecting millions of Cubans, who often endure hours without electricity, compounding the challenges of daily life amid existing economic hardships.

Cuba's reliance on imported fuel has made the situation particularly precarious. The government has struggled to procure sufficient quantities of refined products like fuel oil and diesel, which are essential for both energy generation and transportation. As highlighted by OnCuba News, economic sanctions from the United States and a prolonged domestic economic crisis have further hampered the government's ability to secure these vital imports. These sanctions, coupled with a shrinking pool of available resources from their allies, have resulted in a critical energy deficit, with the government facing immense difficulty in maintaining service levels for its citizens.

The ongoing energy crisis also reflects the chronic issues within Cuba’s national electrical system, which has suffered from decades of underinvestment and insufficient maintenance. This has left the system vulnerable to disruptions, and the current fuel shortages have only intensified the existing problems. As reported by CubaNet, the discrepancies in reported fuel export figures from Mexico raise concerns about the reliability of supply data and underscore the severity of the energy collapse in Cuba. The official Mexican reports of record exports to Cuba contrast sharply with the internal records showing drastic reductions, highlighting a disconnect that could hinder future planning and crisis management.

As Cuba faces these compounded challenges, the outlook for its energy and economic stability remains bleak, with no immediate solutions in sight to address the escalating fuel import decline and its ramifications for everyday life on the island.