Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel took to Facebook on Wednesday to issue a lengthy statement accusing the United States of attempting to take the Cuban people "hostage" in an effort to turn them against their own government, as the island faces its most severe energy crisis of the year.
Díaz-Canel attributed the collapse of the electrical system solely to the American embargo, warning that a shortfall of over 2,000 MW was expected during peak nighttime hours on Wednesday.
"It's a malicious design aimed at causing widespread suffering among the populace, with the goal of turning them against the government," Díaz-Canel wrote, marking one of his strongest rebukes of Washington this year.
Energy Crisis Deepens Amid Accusations
The Cuban president highlighted that fuel shortages, which he attributed to what he termed a "criminal blockade," resulted in a loss of 1,100 MW of generation on that particular Wednesday alone.
The gravity of the crisis is underscored by specific figures. On Tuesday, the actual impact on the National Electric System reached 2,113 MW, setting a new annual record, surpassing the 2,075 MW recorded on March 6.
Public Unrest and Governmental Response
On Wednesday, system availability was a mere 1,200 MW compared to a demand of 2,860 MW, leading to blackouts exceeding 20 hours in various Havana municipalities.
On the previous evening, residents in Marianao, Reparto Bahía, and Luyanó staged protests with banging pots, bonfires, and road blockades after enduring over 20 hours without power. By Wednesday morning, walls in Arroyo Naranjo were marked with "Patria y Vida" slogans condemning Díaz-Canel. Notably, the leader did not address these protests in his statement.
Fuel Supply Challenges
Díaz-Canel acknowledged that Cuba requires at least eight fuel tankers monthly, but in April, only one ship, the Russian tanker Anatoli Kolodkin, delivered 100,000 tons of crude, which was depleted by month's end.
"The arrival of just one fuel ship, out of the minimum eight required each month, allowed for a reduction in the deficit and thus the power outages, which, while not eliminated, were somewhat mitigated," Díaz-Canel admitted.
U.S. Sanctions and International Relations
The Cuban regime blames two executive orders from the Trump administration: Order 14380, signed on January 29, 2026, which imposed secondary sanctions on countries supplying oil to Cuba, and Order 14404, signed on May 1, which expanded restrictions on the energy, defense, mining, and financial sectors, giving foreign companies until June 5 to cease operations with the Business Administration Group (GAESA).
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismissed the regime's narrative, denying the existence of a naval embargo and attributing the crisis to the Cuban government's incompetence and historical reliance on external subsidies.
Historical and Structural Issues
Díaz-Canel's stance overlooks the fact that Cuba's energy crisis is structural and predates U.S. measures. The National Electric System has endured at least seven total collapses in 18 months, a consequence of decades of neglect and poor management under the dictatorship.
He concluded his message with a declaration of resilience: "Always ready for dialogue on equal terms, we will continue to resist and create, increasingly convinced that we must overcome enormous challenges through our own efforts, united as a nation, and steadfast in facing the toughest challenges."
Order 14404 sets June 5, 2026, as the deadline for foreign companies to end their dealings with GAESA, potentially deepening the island's economic and energy isolation in the weeks ahead.
Cuba's Energy Crisis and U.S. Relations: FAQs
What did Díaz-Canel accuse the U.S. of doing?
Díaz-Canel accused the United States of attempting to take the Cuban people "hostage" to turn them against their government, amid Cuba's ongoing energy crisis.
How has the energy crisis affected Cuba?
The crisis has led to significant power outages, with the National Electric System experiencing a record impact of 2,113 MW. This has resulted in blackouts exceeding 20 hours in multiple areas.
What are the executive orders mentioned?
Executive Order 14380 imposed secondary sanctions on countries supplying oil to Cuba, while Order 14404 expanded restrictions on several sectors, requiring foreign companies to end operations with GAESA by June 5, 2026.