The UN Secretary-General expressed his 'concern' over the 'deterioration' of the situation in Cuba amid the severe energy crisis that has worsened in recent weeks in the country, amid the U.S. oil siege. 'The Secretary-General is concerned about the situation, which is worsening,' said spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric at a press conference regarding the impact of fuel shortages on the Cuban population. According to him, 'the need for oil continues to be unmet,' which is 'affecting' the functioning of basic services and economic activity. The spokesperson recalled that the UN General Assembly has repeatedly called for an end to the embargo imposed by the United States on the island, considering it has negative effects on the country's economic development and living conditions. In this sense, he reiterated the Secretary-General's call for dialogue.
Cuba has been going through a deep energy crisis since mid-2024, which has been aggravated since last January by greater difficulties in accessing fuel and by the latest Venezuelan oil blockade to the island ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The island produces only about a third of its energy needs and largely depends on the import of crude oil and derivatives to sustain its electrical system. For Monday alone, the state-owned Unión Eléctrica (UNE), attached to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, forecasts in the peak demand period—in the afternoon and evening—a generation capacity of 1,457 megawatts (MW) against a maximum estimated demand of 3,180 MW. The deficit of 1,723 MW will require an estimated 1,753 MW of disconnections to prevent blackouts.
The prolonged power outages have paralyzed productive sectors, affected services, and increased social discontent in a country that already faces serious economic difficulties.
