On Friday, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel emphasized the urgent need to ensure the availability of cooking materials, ranging from charcoal to firewood, in Havana. This statement highlights the severe breakdown of the island's energy system and domestic gas supply.
The comments were made during the 2026 National Defense Day, where the president of the National Defense Council took part in a territorial defense exercise at the Antonio Guiteras Defense Zone in East Havana.
He was accompanied by Army Corps Generals Álvaro López Miera and Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas, who head the Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior, respectively.
Focus on Agricultural and Energy Plans
Discussing agricultural strategies in East Havana — the province's largest municipality — Díaz-Canel stressed the importance of maximizing all resources, from food production to securing cooking materials, according to the official Cuban Presidency website.
Back in May 2025, Díaz-Canel reiterated the same message during a visit to the municipalities of Manicaragua and Cifuentes in Villa Clara. This repeated rhetoric underscores a consistent narrative from the regime in response to the ongoing fuel crisis impacting cooking capabilities.
Implications of Traditional Cooking Methods
The president's mention of charcoal and firewood as essential resources reveals the government's strategy of reverting to outdated cooking methods amid an inability to rely on electric or gas stoves.
In 2026, Cuba faces its most severe energy crisis in decades, with an electricity generation deficit of approximately 2,040 megawatts against a demand of 3,000 megawatts.
Energy Crisis Deepens
The situation deteriorated further in January 2026, following the halt of Venezuelan oil supplies, which ranged from 26,000 to 35,000 barrels per day, after the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
On March 19, a nationwide blackout lasted 29 and a half hours — the sixth in 18 months. Another total collapse of the National Electric System occurred on March 22, marking the fourth in four months.
Water Supply Challenges in East Havana
In this challenging scenario, Maikel Pérez Valdés, president of the Municipal Defense Council of East Havana, acknowledged the critical issue of water supply in the municipality, severely affected by the energy crisis.
Pérez Valdés announced that the municipality is implementing a program to power booster pumps with solar photovoltaic panels, aiming to achieve, in his words, "sovereignty in the water pumping from major conduits."
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Supply Crisis
Why is Cuba experiencing an energy crisis?
Cuba is undergoing an energy crisis due to a significant deficit in electricity generation, worsened by the cessation of oil supplies from Venezuela since January 2026.
What alternative cooking methods are being suggested by the Cuban government?
The Cuban government, led by Díaz-Canel, is advocating for the use of traditional methods like charcoal and firewood due to the lack of gas and electric cooking options.
How is East Havana addressing the water supply issue amid the energy crisis?
East Havana is tackling the water supply problem by implementing a program to energize water pumps using solar photovoltaic panels.