Fidel Antonio Castro Smirnov, the grandson of the architect of Cuba's socialist regime, asserted during a visit to Moscow that Cuba will continue its defiance against sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. His comments were made during an exclusive interview with the Russian outlet Sputnik at the Sovintern forum.
Castro Smirnov attended the inaugural International Socialist Network Forum, Sovintern, held in Moscow from April 25 to 27. He took the opportunity to express gratitude for Russia's energy assistance while condemning Washington's pressure on countries supplying oil to the island.
"The Trump administration and Marco Rubio have threatened the entire world with sanctions if they sell us oil. What justification exists for such collective punishment?" questioned the academic, who serves as a professor at the University of Havana and is a member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences.
Energy Crisis Deepens in Cuba
In his address, Castro Smirnov highlighted the severity of the energy crisis plaguing the island: "We desperately need fuel to keep the country's economy running, not only for electricity generation but also for hospitals, ambulances, schools, universities, and our research centers."
As of Monday, Cuba faced an electricity generation deficit exceeding 1,400 MW, with blackouts lasting up to 24 hours in provinces like Holguín, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions and External Challenges
The crisis escalated following Trump's Executive Order 14380, signed on January 29, which labeled the Cuban regime as a "unique and extraordinary threat" and imposed tariffs on countries selling oil to Cuba.
Prior to this measure, Cuba was already grappling with a critical fuel shortage, exacerbated by the halt of Venezuelan supplies—between 26,000 and 35,000 barrels daily—after Nicolás Maduro's arrest in January and the cessation of Mexican shipments that same month.
Despite producing only 40,000 barrels daily against a demand of 90,000 to 110,000, Russia attempted to bridge the gap with two shipments: one of 730,000 barrels of crude arriving on March 31 and a second vessel carrying 251,000 barrels of diesel expected on April 29.
However, the island requires eight fuel shipments monthly, and from January to April, it received just one from Russia, demonstrating that while Moscow's assistance is welcomed by the regime, it falls short of resolving the emergency.
Strengthening Scientific Ties
Castro Smirnov described his Moscow visit as a mission to "strengthen scientific ties between our peoples," invoking his grandfather's legacy: "He taught us that in the worst moments, we must seek solutions through science."
In February, Castro Smirnov had acknowledged in London that the danger had never been so imminent for Cuba, reflecting the crisis's magnitude.
As Fidel's grandson expresses gratitude to Moscow from a leftist party forum, Marco Rubio has made it clear that any relief from sanctions demands a complete overhaul of Cuba's government system—a condition the regime outright rejects, indicating that the island's energy crisis is likely to persist without a foreseeable resolution.
Key Questions About Cuba's Ongoing Energy Crisis
What is the current state of Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba is experiencing a severe energy crisis, with an electricity generation deficit exceeding 1,400 MW and blackouts lasting up to 24 hours in some provinces.
How are U.S. sanctions impacting Cuba?
U.S. sanctions have exacerbated Cuba's energy crisis by placing tariffs on countries that sell oil to the island, following an executive order by Trump declaring Cuba a "unique and extraordinary threat."
What role is Russia playing in assisting Cuba?
Russia has attempted to aid Cuba by sending shipments of crude oil and diesel, but the assistance has been insufficient to fully address the island's energy needs.