The United States exported gasoline and fuel oil to Cuba worth a total of $2,548,110 between January and February 2026, according to a report released last Friday by the U.S.-Cuba Economic and Trade Council.
The timing of these figures, as highlighted by Cuban Trade, is particularly significant given the circumstances: the White House had tightened restrictions on crude imports by the Cuban government, yet simultaneously permitted fuel sales to the island's private sector.
Breaking down the numbers, January's exports were minimal, amounting to just $87,746 in light fuel oil purchased in Galveston and Houston, Texas. February, however, saw a dramatic increase, according to Diario de Cuba.
Purchases of light fuel oil in February soared to $2,266,154, originating from Galveston, Miami, and New Orleans.
Additionally, $113,230 was spent on leaded gasoline from Miami, $14,167 on unleaded gasoline from Galveston, and $34,703 from Miami.
Regarding fuel oil, $35,520 was bought in Miami and $109,820 in New Orleans.
The surge from January to February coincided with the February 25th release of a guideline by the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security. This guideline formally permitted the export of U.S. gas and petroleum products to the Cuban private sector under the License Exception known as "Support for the Cuban People," provided these sales did not benefit the government, military, or state entities.
This policy aligns with the dual strategy of the Trump administration: obstructing fuel to the Cuban government while promoting its availability to the non-state private sector.
In January, Trump signed Executive Order 14380, declaring Cuba an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to national security and imposing tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
As a result, Mexico, which provided 44% of Cuba's crude imports, halted shipments on January 27th; Venezuela also ceased supply following the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.
By late March, Reuters confirmed that U.S. suppliers had dispatched about 30,000 barrels of fuel—around 4.8 million liters—to the Cuban non-state sector since February, transported in roughly 200 isotanks aboard 61 vessels mainly headed to the port of Mariel.
Beneficiaries included private bakeries, wholesalers supplying small urban markets, and online stores like Supermarket23, linked to entrepreneur Guillermo García.
Supermarket23 had announced a suspension of orders in February due to fuel shortages but resumed operations after importing from the U.S.
The data indicates that Washington's fuel embargo is not absolute: it impacts the Cuban state but allows fuel flow to the private sector.
The Cuban regime acknowledged this, announcing it would permit small and medium-sized businesses to import fuel to alleviate the energy crisis.
However, the scale of the problem is far greater than these shipments. Cuba requires about 100,000 barrels of fuel daily, producing only between 40,000 and 45,000 locally.
The 30,000 barrels sent from the U.S. since February represent a mere 0.5% of the country's historic daily needs.
Cuban Deputy Minister Argelio Jesús Abad Vigoa admitted on March 21 that the country had faced insufficient supplies for three months, with power outages reaching deficits of up to 1,945 MW, causing blackouts of up to twenty hours a day in some provinces.
Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Fuel Exports to Cuba
Why did the U.S. export fuel to Cuba?
The U.S. exported fuel to Cuba's private sector under a policy to support the Cuban people, allowing sales that do not benefit the Cuban government or military.
How much fuel does Cuba need daily?
Cuba requires approximately 100,000 barrels of fuel daily, but local production only meets 40,000 to 45,000 barrels of this demand.
What impact did the U.S. fuel exports have on Cuba's energy crisis?
The U.S. exports, totaling 30,000 barrels, covered just 0.5% of Cuba's daily needs and did little to resolve the broader energy shortages the country faces.