The visit came as Cuba’s energy crisis deepened. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the island had exhausted key fuel reserves, including diesel and fuel oil, leaving the power grid in a critical state and triggering widespread blackouts. Protests broke out overnight as residents complained of spoiled food, sleepless nights and worsening living conditions. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Havana through expanded sanctions and measures that effectively restrict oil supplies to the island. UN experts have criticized these steps, describing the fuel restrictions as a form of “energy starvation,” while Washington has paired an offer of around $100 million in assistance with demands for significant political and economic reforms.
