On Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held the Cuban regime accountable for the humanitarian crisis plaguing the island, emphasizing that its energy deterioration stems from the cessation of free Venezuelan oil supplies and years of neglect in its electrical system.
Speaking at a press conference in Barranquilla, Colombia, where he met with President Abelardo De La Espriella, Rubio addressed questions regarding the United Nations' warnings about the impact of fuel and electricity shortages in Cuba. His remarks were circulated via video by the Department of State.
"The primary reason for Cuba's energy crisis is the end of Venezuela's free oil," stated the U.S. diplomatic chief. According to Rubio, Havana had long benefited from gratis Venezuelan oil, using about 30% for domestic needs while selling the remainder for revenue. This arrangement ceased after Nicolás Maduro's capture by U.S. forces in January 2026.
Rubio noted that Cuba's energy troubles preceded the end of these oil shipments, reminding that the island had already been experiencing widespread blackouts due to deteriorating infrastructure. He criticized the Cuban government for failing to invest in modernizing its electrical grid, despite years of free oil from Venezuela.
He was particularly scathing in attributing the humanitarian emergency to Cuba's political and economic model. "If Cuba is a humanitarian disaster, it's because its government, its regime, is a disaster. The economic model they follow doesn't work. It doesn't make sense because they don't allow the private sector to thrive, and they don't let Cubans choose their own paths in life," Rubio asserted.
Rubio also dismissed the notion that external factors exclusively explain the situation, recalling the U.S. offer of $100 million in humanitarian aid for Cubans. "Cuba is a humanitarian catastrophe, and we've offered them $100 million in humanitarian aid; others have done the same. No one is preventing that aid from getting in," he declared.
The U.S. initiative plans to channel $60 million through the Catholic Church and another $40 million via independent NGOs to prevent the regime from controlling distribution. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez previously denied receiving such an offer, dismissing it as a "fable."
The Secretary of State further accused Cuban authorities of misallocating resources, prioritizing other areas over infrastructure modernization. "They've siphoned off all the money to build hotels and line their own pockets, and because they're no longer pilfering oil from Venezuela for free," he accused.
These statements exacerbate the recent public spat between Washington and Havana over the root causes of the energy crisis. Days earlier, Bruno Rodríguez accused Rubio of lying, denying that Venezuela gifted oil to Cuba and insisting that it was part of trade exchanges for services provided by the island.
Rubio had previously stated on September 2 that blackouts in Cuba have persisted for five to seven years, arguing that the electrical crisis is structural and not solely due to the Venezuelan supply cutoff.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Humanitarian Crisis
What is the main cause of Cuba's energy crisis?
The primary cause of Cuba's energy crisis is the end of free oil supplies from Venezuela, coupled with a lack of investment in modernizing the island's electrical infrastructure.
How has the U.S. responded to Cuba's humanitarian crisis?
The United States has offered $100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba, with funds intended to be distributed through the Catholic Church and independent NGOs to ensure the regime does not control the aid.
What arguments did Marco Rubio make about Cuba's economic model?
Marco Rubio criticized Cuba's economic model, stating it is ineffective because it restricts private sector growth and individual freedom, contributing to the country's humanitarian disaster.