Cuba Braces for Fuel Crisis as Díaz-Canel Blames U.S. Pressure, Signals Openness to Dialogue

By Blessing Nweke

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said Thursday that his government is preparing for severe fuel shortages, blaming U.S. measures under the Trump administration that he said have sharply cut oil supplies to the island and intensified the country’s economic crisis.

Speaking during an unusual nationally televised news conference, Díaz-Canel denounced what he called a “criminal policy” by Washington, arguing that the restrictions affect food distribution, transportation, hospitals, schools and economic production. “We are going to take measures that, while not permanent, will require effort. What else are we to do?” he said, adding that a contingency plan to manage fuel shortages would be rolled out within the next week.

The Cuban leader said Havana remains willing to engage in dialogue with the United States on a wide range of issues, but only without pressure or preconditions and with respect for Cuba’s sovereignty. He emphasized that Cubans “do not hate” the American people and recognize their values, while also saying the government is preparing a “defense plan.” “We aren’t in a state of war,” Díaz-Canel said, “but we are preparing ourselves in case we have to move to a state of war.”

At the White House, press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated President Donald Trump’s claims that Cuba’s government is nearing collapse, while saying Trump remains open to diplomacy. Trump has said the U.S. is communicating with “the highest people” in Cuba, a claim partially confirmed by Cuba’s deputy foreign minister, Carlos de Cossio, who said there have been limited exchanges of messages but no formal negotiations.

Díaz-Canel said Cuba has not received oil from Venezuela since December, after a U.S. military operation led to the capture of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Trump has also said he urged Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to halt oil shipments to Cuba, though Mexico has announced plans to send humanitarian aid instead.

In Havana, public reaction to the looming fuel shortages was bleak. “The future of Cuba is very dark,” said publicist Frank Palomares. University student Melani Alarcon said the crisis could derail her studies, adding, “There is no future in Cuba right now.”

Cuba has faced years of economic turmoil marked by declining tourism, tighter U.S. sanctions, chronic shortages of food and medicine, and prolonged blackouts driven by fuel scarcity.