Cuba faces energy crisis amid intensified U.S. fuel sanctions

Cuba is facing a severe energy and fuel crisis driven by ongoing blackouts and intensified international sanctions. Following an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump, which designated Cuba as an 'unusual and extraordinary threat to national security,' new sanctions have targeted any nation attempting to sell oil to the island. These measures have expanded to include financial entities and individuals operating in vital economic sectors.

The energy blockade has disrupted essential services, including hospitals, water purification plants, food refrigeration, and transportation. In response to the scarcity of state-supplied liquefied gas, private markets have emerged. For instance, the provider Cubamax is selling new, filled 7-kilogram gas cylinders for $89 USD. This option allows buyers to acquire a full cylinder without exchanging an empty one, though the price remains prohibitive for many families relying on local salaries or pensions.