World

Cuba Expands Solar Capacity as U.S. Oil Blockade Continues

By Reuters and The Associated Press

Cuban Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said the U.S. oil blockade has forced the island to pursue domestic alternatives, including solar, wind, tides, and local crude and gas. He noted that 144 solar farms with a combined capacity of about 1,418 megawatts have been installed in recent years, largely supplied by China, and that shipments have increased since the blockade began in early January. The U.S. halted all oil shipments from Venezuela in January and later announced tariffs on any country exporting oil to Cuba, citing national‑security concerns. Since then, only one Russian oil tanker has reached Havana. U.S. oil shipments to Cuba’s private sector have increased, but fuel exports to state‑run industries remain largely barred. The government‑run electrical grid, considered antiquated, relies heavily on fossil fuels; only 40 % of Cuba’s electricity comes from domestic oil production, and as of 2023, renewable sources covered just 9 % of total energy consumption. De la O Levy acknowledged shortages of medicine, water, and fuel, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis, yet said the country is “surviving and moving forward, little by little.” He added that domestic crude production remains stable but is almost entirely allocated to power plants. The United Nations and human‑rights watchdogs have criticized the oil blockade as a violation of international law. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla condemned the blockade at the U.N. General Assembly, calling it an unprecedented action that deprives states of the right to export commodities. The U.S. embargo on Cuba has existed for more than 60 years; President Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign intensified restrictions. On October 7, U.S. authorities seized 90 biodiesel shipments worth over $2.8 million destined for Cuba, citing violations of federal export laws. De la O Levy denied any link between the Cuban government and the seized shipments, stating that no state‑owned company has secured a fuel contract and that U.S. oil shipments to private firms cover less than 3 % of the country’s fuel needs.