Cuban journalist and author Luis Felipe Rojas has highlighted two concurrent crises in Cuba with no apparent resolution in sight: over 1,180 political prisoners, mostly detained following the July 11, 2021 protests, and a persistent six-month fuel shortage, a fact publicly acknowledged by Miguel Díaz-Canel in an interview with RT.
Rojas discussed these issues during an interview with Tania Costa for CiberCuba, analyzing Díaz-Canel's admission to RT in Spanish on Monday, where the Cuban leader acknowledged the severe energy collapse the island is experiencing.
"Díaz-Canel mentioned in the RT interview we watched yesterday that Cuba has not received a single fuel shipment in six months. No matter how much solar power you have or how many isocontainers arrive in Cuba, it doesn’t solve the problem. It can only get worse, much worse," stated Tania Costa.
The energy collapse is rooted in structural issues. Cuba requires between 90,000 and 110,000 barrels of oil daily, yet only produces 40,000. Fuel shipments from Venezuela ceased in November 2025, Russia in October of the same year, and Mexico in January 2026. In April 2026, just one out of the eight required monthly fuel shipments arrived, causing an electricity generation deficit exceeding 2,000 megawatts, leading to blackouts in some areas lasting more than 30 consecutive hours.
Political Prisoners: A Stark Reality
Rojas also addressed the situation of political prisoners, saying, "Right now, there are over 1,180 political prisoners, mostly tied to that cause," directly referencing the July 11 protests.
He recalled the historic protests where "an entire population shouted the most offensive insult at Díaz-Canel," an unprecedented level of public disdain for a Cuban leader. While the July 11 events revealed the frustration of a new generation to the world, Rojas concluded it ultimately "failed" because the regime responded with widespread repression.
According to Prisoners Defenders, by June 2026, Cuba reached a historic peak of 1,306 political prisoners. Notably, the regime excluded 11J protestors from the mass pardon in April 2026, which released 2,010 individuals in what was presented as a "humanitarian gesture."
U.S. Report on Cuban Espionage
Rojas also commented on the U.S. State Department's report released Monday, titled "Cuba: The Capital of 21st Century Communism," which documents decades of Cuban espionage in the United States. He described it as lacking in new information, stating, "This report contains nothing new. It names names and institutions we've mentioned many times, from inside Cuba or in exile."
However, he suggested the document might serve a practical purpose. "They might be laying the groundwork for more sanctions to further tighten the regime," although he dismissed the possibility of it leading to military intervention.
Regarding potential change, Rojas expressed skepticism about any short-term solutions. "I don’t believe the United States will reengage, especially with two years left before the end of the Trump administration. I doubt an intervention is forthcoming with November approaching and the Congress in view."
His conclusion was forthright. "I think another July 11, something definitive, needs to happen, because otherwise... I'm skeptical about any kind of intervention."
Understanding Cuba's Current Situation
What are the main crises facing Cuba under Díaz-Canel?
Cuba is grappling with a severe energy crisis due to a lack of fuel shipments for six months, coupled with the detention of over 1,180 political prisoners, primarily related to the July 11, 2021 protests.
How has the Cuban government responded to the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to mitigate the energy crisis by relying on solar power and isocontainers, but these measures have proven insufficient to address the extensive energy shortages.
What impact did the July 11 protests have on Cuba?
The July 11 protests highlighted the public's frustration with the regime, but the government's response involved mass repression, resulting in over 1,180 political prisoners.