The United States Treasury Department announced the issuance of General License 134C concerning Russian oil this Monday. This license temporarily permits certain transactions involving Russian-origin crude; however, it explicitly denies Cuba any benefits under this regulation.
Signed by Bradley T. Smith, director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), this license replaces GL 134B, which expired on May 16, 2026, and will remain valid until June 17, 2026.
The official text of GL 134C specifies in paragraph (b)(1) that the license "does not authorize any transaction involving a person located in or under the laws of the Republic of Cuba," alongside Iran, North Korea, and the occupied regions of Ukraine.
Energy Struggles Intensify in Cuba
This deliberate exclusion tightens the energy blockade on the island just as Miguel Díaz-Canel's regime faces its most severe fuel crisis in decades. On May 14, Cuba's Energy and Mines Minister, Vicente de la O Levy, admitted the nation was "out of diesel and fuel oil," with the electrical system in a "critical" state.
Ironically, on the same day, De la O Levy was among nine Cuban officials added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list by OFAC. This was under the CUBA-EO14404 program, initiated by an Executive Order signed by Trump on May 1, 2026. Other newly sanctioned individuals include Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People's Power; Roberto Morales Ojeda, secretary of Organization of the Communist Party of Cuba; and Mayra Arevich Marín, Minister of Communications.
Sustained Economic Sanctions
OFAC also included Cuba's Intelligence Directorate (DGI/G2) on the SDN list, established on June 6, 1961, and classified it as a governmental entity under the same sanction program.
Cuba's energy crisis worsened after January 3, 2026, when the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. special forces halted the flow of 26,000 to 35,000 barrels per day of Venezuelan oil, which accounted for 80% to 90% of Cuba's imports.
One brief reprieve came when the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin delivered approximately 730,000 barrels to the port of Matanzas on March 30, a shipment that covered just seven to ten days of consumption. Since then, the Russian tanker Universal has been adrift in the Atlantic, unable to reach Cuba, and GL 134C now legally prevents third parties from using this license to trade Russian oil destined for the island.
Cuba requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels daily for electricity, transportation, and agriculture but only produces around 40,000 internally. This shortfall has led to power outages lasting up to 30 hours for the population.
The Impact of U.S. Sanctions on Cuba's Energy Sector
Why is Cuba excluded from the U.S. General License 134C on Russian oil?
Cuba is explicitly excluded from the license as part of a broader U.S. policy of economic sanctions aimed at exerting pressure on the Cuban regime, which is seen as a major cause of the country's economic difficulties.
How has the energy crisis affected daily life in Cuba?
The energy crisis has led to severe power outages, sometimes lasting up to 30 hours, which disrupts daily life, impacts public services, and hampers economic activities across the island.
What role do international sanctions play in Cuba's fuel shortages?
International sanctions, particularly those imposed by the U.S., restrict Cuba's ability to import fuel from key suppliers, exacerbating the island's existing shortages and complicating efforts to secure alternative sources.