WASHINGTON (AP) — The Cuban government has refused a U.S. request to import diesel fuel for generators while the Trump administration maintains a fuel blockade on the island, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said Friday.
Embassy Staffing Concerns
The rejection comes as the U.S. State Department considers reducing staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Havana due to the diesel shortage. Such a move would likely prompt a reciprocal reduction in staffing at the Cuban Embassy in Washington, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Cuba has faced dwindling oil supplies since the removal of Venezuela’s leader halted critical petroleum shipments from the historically allied nation. President Donald Trump subsequently threatened tariffs on any country selling or supplying Cuba with oil.
The island is currently relying on its own natural gas, solar power, and domestic oil production to operate thermoelectric plants, but these resources are insufficient to meet current demand.
Many of Cuba’s 11 million residents are struggling to preserve food, hospitals have canceled surgeries, and the leading university has reduced classes due to power outages and transportation disruptions.
U.S. Policy and Potential Staffing Changes
The standoff over diesel fuel coincides with the Trump administration’s push for significant changes in Cuba, led by President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have indicated a desire to expand U.S. influence in Cuba.
The administration is demanding the release of political prisoners and a move toward political and economic liberalization in exchange for lifting sanctions. Reports indicate the Trump administration seeks Díaz-Canel’s removal from power, though no specific alternative has been publicly identified.
Trump has suggested Cuba’s government is nearing collapse and stated he believes he could “take Cuba” in some form. He has also alluded to the fate of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, who was ousted and faced U.S. charges.
While a staffing reduction at the U.S. Embassy is under consideration, officials say the U.S. has enough diesel reserves to last another month. Limited options exist to access fuel reserves within Cuba, which are tightly controlled by the government.
One official noted that the Spanish Embassy in Havana, possessing excess fuel reserves for its hotels, was denied permission by Cuban authorities to share it with other European embassies facing shortages.
Recent Developments
Díaz-Canel stated last week that Cuba has engaged in talks with the U.S. government, confirming widespread speculation about discussions with the Trump administration amid the ongoing pressure campaign.
Humanitarian organizations began delivering aid to Cuba by air Friday, including solar panels, food, and medicine. Cuba is also preparing to receive a shipment of Russian oil later this month, its first in three months.
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