On Wednesday, Miguel Díaz-Canel acknowledged that the National Electric System is under extreme pressure, as he posted on his official Facebook page. He projected a shortfall of over 2,000 MW during the peak hours of the same evening.
This figure marks the most challenging period of the year for Cuba's electrical grid. The previous day, the peak shortfall reached 2,113 MW at 8:40 PM, according to Unión Eléctrica, with a mere 1,230 MW available against a demand of 3,250 MW.
Díaz-Canel attributed this worsening situation solely to the U.S. embargo, claiming that due to fuel shortages, Cuba failed to generate 1,100 MW on Wednesday.
"This severe deterioration has a singular cause: the genocidal energy blockade imposed by the United States, which threatens irrational tariffs on any nation supplying us with fuel," he stated.
The Cuban leader also acknowledged the significant fuel shortage: Cuba requires at least eight fuel ships monthly, yet in April, only one arrived.
"The arrival of a single fuel ship at Cuban ports, out of the minimum eight needed monthly, helped slightly reduce the deficit and, consequently, the blackouts, which, although not completely eliminated, were lessened," he admitted.
What the regime fails to mention is that the energy crisis is deeply rooted in decades-old structural issues, exacerbated by reliance on external subsidies that the dictatorial economic model never addressed.
Venezuela, once sending up to 46,500 barrels daily, halted shipments since November 2025. Russia's last shipment was in October of that year, and Mexico ceased their deliveries in January 2026.
While Díaz-Canel shared his message, residents of San Miguel del Padrón staged a pot-banging protest outside the municipal government headquarters, demanding "Electricity and food!"
On Tuesday night, another pot-banging protest erupted in Reparto Bahía with shouts of "Down with the dictatorship!" In the early hours of Wednesday, residents of Marianao took to the streets with bonfires.
This Wednesday, graffiti with "Patria y Vida" and messages opposing Díaz-Canel appeared on electrical infrastructure in Arroyo Naranjo. The Cuban Observatory of Conflicts recorded 1,133 protests in April 2026, a 29.5% increase compared to April 2025.
The regime has responded to these protests with militarization and arrests. At least 14 individuals have been detained in Havana since March 6 in connection to the pot-banging demonstrations. The energy crisis is compounded by a devastating food shortage: 33.9% of Cuban households reported hunger in 2025, according to the Food Monitor Program.
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump labeled Cuba as a "failed nation" and vowed to address the island "at the right time." Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions on May 7 against GAESA and 12 regime officials, offering $100 million in conditional humanitarian aid.
Díaz-Canel concluded his post with a vow of resilience: "Always ready for dialogue on equal terms, we will continue resisting and creating, increasingly convinced that we must overcome enormous challenges through our own efforts, united as a nation, and steadfast in facing the toughest challenges."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
What is causing the current energy crisis in Cuba?
The energy crisis in Cuba is primarily attributed to longstanding structural issues within the energy infrastructure, compounded by a reliance on external subsidies and exacerbated by the U.S. embargo and fuel shortages.
How has the Cuban government responded to the protests?
The Cuban government has responded to the protests with increased militarization and arrests, detaining at least 14 people in Havana related to recent demonstrations.
What impact has the energy crisis had on Cuban households?
The energy crisis has significantly affected Cuban households, with many experiencing power outages and a concurrent severe food shortage, leading to hunger in 33.9% of homes in 2025.