WASHINGTON – The Cuban government has recently denied a request from the U.S. Embassy in Havana to import diesel for its generators. This refusal comes amidst ongoing fuel blockades imposed by the Trump administration, according to two U.S. officials familiar with the situation.
The rejection of the diesel request is particularly significant as the U.S. State Department is considering reducing staffing at the embassy due to the diesel shortage. Such a reduction could lead to reciprocal demands for a similar staffing cut at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, as indicated by the officials, who spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the discussions.
The Washington Post was the first to report on Cuba’s refusal to allow the diesel import. As of now, neither the White House, the State Department, nor the Cuban Embassy in Washington has responded to requests for comments on this matter.
Cuba’s struggles with fuel supply have been exacerbated by the U.S. decision to remove Venezuela’s leader, which halted vital petroleum shipments from Venezuela, a key ally to Cuba. The Trump administration has also threatened tariffs on any country that sells or supplies oil to Cuba, further complicating the situation.
In response to the fuel crisis, Cuba has turned to alternative energy sources, relying on its natural gas, solar power, and domestic oil to operate thermoelectric plants. However, these measures have not sufficiently met the energy demands of the nation.
The consequences of the fuel shortages are dire. Many of Cuba’s 11 million residents are struggling to keep food from spoiling, and hospitals have been forced to cancel surgeries. The leading university has reduced classes due to frequent power outages and transportation disruptions.
This standoff over diesel imports occurs as the Trump administration has been advocating for significant changes in Cuba’s government, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed their views that Cuba could be the next country to fall under U.S. influence.
Their demands include the release of political prisoners and a shift towards political and economic liberalization in exchange for the lifting of sanctions against Cuba. There have been indications that the Trump administration is seeking Díaz-Canel’s resignation, although no specifics have been provided regarding potential successors.
In recent statements, Trump has suggested that the Cuban government is on the brink of collapse. Following a widespread blackout due to the failure of Cuba’s electric grid, he commented that he believed he would soon have “the honor of taking Cuba.”
“Taking Cuba in some form … whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth,” Trump remarked. “They’re a very weakened nation right now.”
Furthermore, Trump has warned top Cuban leaders to be cautious of a fate similar to that of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was ousted in a U.S. military operation earlier this year.
Despite the challenges, any potential reduction in staffing at the U.S. embassy is not expected to occur immediately. According to one official, the U.S. currently has enough diesel reserves to last for approximately another month.
The options for accessing fuel reserves in Cuba are limited, as they are closely regulated by the government. For instance, the Spanish Embassy in Havana possesses a surplus of fuel and has offered it to other European embassies struggling with shortages, but Cuban authorities have denied permission for such transfers.
Cuba’s fuel reserves were bolstered by previous diesel imports intended for Spanish-owned hotels, which are currently closed due to a lack of tourists visiting the island.
In an effort to address the humanitarian crisis, organizations have begun delivering aid to Cuba, including solar panels, food, and medicine. Additionally, Cuba is preparing to receive a shipment of Russian oil later this month, marking its first oil shipment in three months.
