Chinese media have cast a spotlight on the severe economic downturn in Cuba, revealing that rationed food supplies are insufficient for the island's residents, compelling many to rely on wood and charcoal for cooking.
The Chinese platform Ifeng published a report featuring insights from Alejandro Gómez, the deputy director of Prensa Latina in Havana, who discussed the dire economic and energy crisis plaguing Cuba. He attributed much of the decline to the United States' embargo.
This report followed a disappointing outcome for Cuba at the United Nations, where the annual resolution against the U.S. embargo garnered only 130 votes—a significant drop from previous years, with 35 fewer supporters compared to 2025, and a notable increase in opposition votes.
Gómez acknowledged to Chinese journalists that the ration book, established in 1962 to provide a month's worth of essential goods, now barely covers half a month. He further admitted, "Nowadays, these foods scarcely reach community food stores."
The regression to using past-century fuels was another point Gómez conceded in the interview. Households that once used bottled or street gas now resort to charcoal and wood—a reversal that Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel previously described in March as the population's "creative resistance."
In terms of energy, Gómez confirmed that the National Electric System has experienced seven total collapses this year, accumulating nearly five days of nationwide power outages.
"Right now, there's a blackout here too. Fortunately, thanks to solar panels donated by China, I can conduct this interview with electricity," he stated at the beginning of the conversation.
Gómez also addressed infant mortality rates, noting a rise from under four to over nine per thousand live births last year, blaming the increase on the U.S. embargo. This figure aligns with the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), which reported a rate of 9.9 per thousand in 2025, up from 7.1 in 2024 and 3.9 in 2018—an approximate 154% increase since 2018.
Despite the implementation of 176 economic measures in June, Gómez admitted that the effects are not felt by the populace: "Prices continue to surge, blackouts persist, water issues remain, and the cost of living keeps rising."
Regarding China, the interview portrays the Asian giant as a benevolent donor, yet the figures also depict it as a key trade partner of the regime. China's solar panel exports to Cuba soared from around five million dollars in 2023 to 117 million in 2025, according to customs data compiled by Ember.
Analyst Dave Jones estimates that solar energy now constitutes nearly 10% of Cuba's electricity generation. He cautions that Cuba "might be undergoing one of the fastest solar revolutions globally," although this growth heightens the island's technological reliance on Beijing, mirroring past dependencies on Moscow and Caracas.
Insights into Cuba's Economic and Energy Challenges
What has caused the current economic crisis in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba is largely attributed to the U.S. embargo, which has severely impacted the island's economy and energy sectors.
How are Cubans adapting to the energy shortages?
Many Cubans are turning to traditional methods of cooking, such as using wood and charcoal, due to the scarcity of gas and frequent power outages.
What role does China play in Cuba's energy sector?
China has been a significant contributor to Cuba's energy sector by donating solar panels, which now make up a substantial portion of the island's electricity generation.