United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio has dismantled the Cuban regime's narrative blaming the Trump administration for the Island's ongoing power crisis. In a candid conversation with Fox News political commentator Brian Kilmeade, Rubio asserted that the blackouts are not a new phenomenon and do not originate from Washington's policies.
"They have been experiencing blackouts for five to seven years because their system simply doesn't work. They possess equipment from the 1940s and 1950s which have neither been updated nor invested in, as their economic model is fundamentally flawed," Rubio declared emphatically.
The Impact of Venezuelan Oil on Cuba's Energy Crisis
Rubio further explained a more recent structural cause of the energy collapse: the cessation of subsidized Venezuelan oil, once freely provided by the regime of Nicolás Maduro to Cuba.
"The primary issue now is that they are no longer siphoning off free oil from Venezuela," noted the Secretary of State.
He recalled how Cuba used to sell the majority of that oil for cash rather than using it for the benefit of its citizens. That critical supply line was cut off following Maduro's capture on January 3, leaving Cuba with minimal reserves.
"Cuba was taking that oil but instead of aiding its people, they sold most of it for cash, lining their pockets. That is no longer possible," Rubio emphasized.
Addressing the Real Causes Behind the Power Failures
Of Cuban descent, Rubio reiterated his view of Cuba as a "failed state" and suggested the only viable solution: "The only answer for Cuba is to embark on an irreversible path toward becoming a functional, normal state that is, eventually, democratic."
His remarks starkly contrast with the regime's long-standing assertions. Prime Minister Manuel Marrero attributed a national blackout in July to the embargo, and in August, Miguel Díaz-Canel labeled the embargo as "genocide," pointing fingers at Trump for the crisis.
However, the facts tell a different story. Chronic power outages began worsening in 2019. By the summer of 2022, the crisis was systemic, with cascading failures linked to thermoelectric plants operating for over 30 years without proper maintenance.
The most notable blow occurred on October 18, 2024—under the Biden administration, months before Trump's return to the White House—when the country's largest power plant, Antonio Guiteras, went offline, plunging the entire island into darkness.
By 2026, Cuba had suffered seven total collapses of the National Electric System, including a March incident that lasted nearly 30 hours, with power generation deficits exceeding 2,000 MW during peak hours. In May, Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy admitted that Cuba was "out of fuel."
Rubio is no stranger to this debate. In March, he attributed the blackouts to "decades of neglect, mismanagement, and outdated infrastructure," and later dismantled the "oil blockade" argument.
Understanding Cuba's Energy Challenges
What are the main causes of the power outages in Cuba?
The main causes of Cuba's power outages include outdated infrastructure, a lack of investment in energy systems, and the recent cessation of subsidized oil from Venezuela.
How has the cessation of Venezuelan oil affected Cuba?
The end of Venezuelan oil subsidies has left Cuba with minimal energy reserves, exacerbating the nation’s power crisis as they can no longer rely on this source for cash or energy needs.
What solutions does Marco Rubio propose for Cuba's energy crisis?
Marco Rubio suggests that Cuba must undergo systemic changes to become a functional, democratic state, which he sees as the only viable solution to its ongoing crises, including energy.