The fleeting relief brought to Cuba by the Russian oil tanker Anatoli Kolodkin is quickly dissipating, once again pushing the island to the brink of prolonged blackouts that cripple daily life and the economy. This unsettling turn of events was reported by Efe news agency.
The tanker docked in Matanzas on March 31, delivering 100,000 tons of crude oil—about 730,000 barrels—the first substantial shipment in over three months. However, the reprieve it offered to millions of Cubans enduring the energy crisis lasted less than a month.
Data from the state-run Unión Eléctrica highlighted this temporary shift. While blackouts previously impacted 60% of the country in the first quarter, by the last two weeks of April, the maximum outages ranged between 35% and 45%.
Impact on Cuban Provinces
In Havana, where power interruptions exceeded 15 hours daily, the situation saw significant improvement. Yet, the eastern provinces continue to report power outages lasting 24 hours or more.
As of Thursday, with the Kolodkin's crude nearly depleted, the energy generation shortfall surged back over 1,500 MW, leaving 990 MW affected by 6 AM.
Energy Supply Challenges
Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O had warned on April 22 that the shipment would only last until "the end of the month." He noted that Cuba requires eight similar shipments per month to meet its energy demands, a goal that remains unmet.
Hopes for a second Russian shipment remain uncertain. The tanker Universal, sanctioned by the United States and the European Union, has been moving erratically and at a very slow pace across the North Atlantic for a week, potentially delaying its arrival until late May.
Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsiviliov had announced the dispatch of the Universal on April 2 with the statement, "a second ship is being loaded right now," though its final destination is still unconfirmed.
Long-standing Energy Crisis
Cuba's energy crisis is rooted in structural issues that extend beyond recent sanctions. The situation has been dire since mid-2024, with blackouts in November and December 2025—before the oil embargo—mirroring those of January and February this year.
The country's seven thermal power plants, which account for 40% of electricity production, have suffered from decades of neglect due to chronic underinvestment, unrelated to Washington's policies.
The series of setbacks accelerated with the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, halting supplies from Caracas to Havana, and Mexico's Pemex suspending shipments days later, removing 44% of Cuba's imports.
Cuba internally produces about 40,000 barrels of oil daily but requires between 90,000 and 110,000 to function normally.
Economic Struggles Intensify
The economic landscape further exacerbates the situation. The country ranks last in the regional economic standings, with a per capita GDP of just 1,082.8 dollars in 2025, the lowest in Latin America compared to a regional average of 10,212 dollars.
The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) projects a 6.5% contraction in Cuba's GDP in 2026, the worst among 27 regional economies, while the Economist Intelligence Unit forecasts a 7.2% decline, compounding a more than 15% contraction recorded between 2020 and 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing Cuba's energy crisis?
Cuba's energy crisis is largely due to structural issues, such as chronic underinvestment in power infrastructure and external factors like halted oil supplies from key allies.
How much oil does Cuba need to operate normally?
Cuba requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil per day to maintain normal operations, but it currently produces only about 40,000 barrels daily.
What impact has the energy crisis had on Cuba's economy?
The energy crisis has significantly worsened Cuba's economic situation, contributing to a declining GDP and placing the country at the bottom of regional economic rankings.