In a press conference held in France, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed his strong criticism of Cuba's economic system, describing it as a "disaster" and "nonsense." Rubio attributed the island's lack of oil and fuel to its desire to obtain these resources without cost.
Speaking on the sidelines of a G7 foreign ministers meeting at the Abbey des Vaux-de-Cernay, Rubio addressed reporters, highlighting the ongoing energy crisis in Cuba and the broader global issues, such as Iran's situation and support for Ukraine, discussed at the assembly.
"Cuba's shortage of oil and fuel stems from their expectation to receive it for free," Rubio stated. "Historically, the only times they received such aid were through Soviet or Maduro's subsidies," he added, underscoring the impracticality of their expectations.
Outdated Infrastructure Compounds Energy Woes
Rubio pointed out that frequent blackouts on the island are the result of both a lack of fuel and the use of antiquated equipment from the 1950s and 60s, which have never been properly maintained or modernized.
He emphasized, "Cuba's economic disaster is due to an ineffective system that makes no sense," further criticizing the government for failing to make necessary reforms to join the modern world. He stressed that the Cuban people are suffering because of the government's decisions and lack of willingness to adapt.
Rejecting the Embargo Excuse
Countering the Cuban regime's claims that the U.S. embargo is the cause of their crisis, Rubio clarified, "There is no naval blockade surrounding Cuba." He noted that the island has experienced power outages consistently over the past two years, attributing the structural issues to its reliance on external subsidies, initially from the Soviet Union and later from Venezuela.
The Extent of Cuba's Energy Crisis
As of March 25, Cuba was grappling with an electric demand of 3,000 megawatts against an availability of just 1,145 megawatts. This shortfall resulted in power outages lasting up to 25 hours a day, impacting 63% of the country.
The situation worsened in January 2026 following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, which disrupted the supply of 25,000 to 35,000 barrels of Venezuelan oil daily—representing two-thirds of Cuba's imports and 76% of its power generation.
Adding to the crisis, Mexico ceased its oil shipments on January 9 due to U.S. pressure, and on January 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing further oil embargo restrictions on Cuba.
On March 26, the United Nations announced a $94.1 million humanitarian plan to ensure fuel availability for critical services in Cuba, warning of the potential "loss of lives" due to the crisis.
A Grim Reality for Cuban Success
Concluding his remarks, Rubio reflected somberly, stating, "It's truly sad that the only place where Cubans can succeed is if they leave the country."
Understanding Cuba's Energy Crisis
Why does Rubio believe Cuba lacks oil and fuel?
Rubio argues that Cuba lacks oil and fuel because they expect to receive it for free, which historically only occurred through Soviet or Maduro's subsidies.
What factors contribute to Cuba's energy crisis?
The crisis is exacerbated by outdated infrastructure from the 1950s and 60s that has not been maintained, as well as the loss of external subsidies from Venezuela.
How has the international community responded to Cuba's crisis?
The United Nations launched a $94.1 million humanitarian plan to ensure the availability of fuel for critical services, warning about the risk of life loss.