Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines Vicente de la O Levy stated that the Cuban government is continuing its plans to transition to renewable energy despite a de facto oil blockade imposed by the United States. In an interview with Reuters on October 12, 2026, de la O Levy noted that the blockade has compelled Cuba to seek domestic alternatives to foreign fuel imports.
"We are seeking our own alternative solutions, using our own resources, our sun, wind, tides, fuel, Cuban crude oil and the gas produced in our wells," de la O Levy said. He mentioned that 144 solar farms with a combined capacity of approximately 1,418 megawatts have been established in recent years.
China has emerged as the largest supplier of solar panels to Cuba, with shipments increasing since the blockade began in early January 2026. The blockade was initiated when then-US President Donald Trump halted all oil shipments from Venezuela, a close ally of Cuba. Trump also announced heavy tariffs on any country exporting oil to Cuba, citing the Cuban government as a “national security” threat.
Since the blockade, only one oil tanker from Russia has reached Havana. While the US has increased oil shipments to Cuba's private sector, it has largely restricted fuel exports to nationalized industries. According to the International Energy Agency, only 40 percent of Cuba’s electricity is generated from domestic oil production, and as of 2023, renewable sources accounted for only nine percent of the country’s energy consumption.
De la O Levy acknowledged the challenges Cuba faces, including shortages of medicine, water, and fuel, which have pushed the country towards a humanitarian crisis. "We are surviving and moving forward, little by little, even if not at the pace we would like," he stated.
He also mentioned the ongoing issues of blackouts and fuel shortages for cooking and transportation, but expressed optimism about Cuba's progress through domestic solutions. The production of domestic crude oil remains stable, though it is primarily used for power plants.
The United Nations and various human rights organizations have criticized the US oil blockade as a violation of international law. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla condemned the blockade during a speech at the UN General Assembly, describing it as an unprecedented action that deprives states of their right to export commodities to Cuba.
The US has maintained an economic embargo on Cuba for over 60 years, and the Trump administration has intensified efforts to pressure Cuba's economy. On October 7, 2026, US authorities announced the seizure of 90 biodiesel fuel shipments valued at over $2.8 million that were intended for Cuba. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that these shipments were part of an unlawful attempt to export fuel to Cuba.
In response, de la O Levy denied any connection between the Cuban government and the seized shipments, asserting that no state-owned company had secured a fuel contract. He estimated that US oil shipments to private firms cover less than three percent of Cuba's fuel needs.