Cubans are bracing for further economic hardship after the United States seized two more oil tankers linked to Venezuela, a move that threatens to further restrict the island's access to oil. This decision comes just days after the capture of the Venezuelan president. Nicolás Maduro by US forces, heightening fears of a deeper energy crisis in Cuba.
In the port of Matanzas, the main entry point for crude oil deliveries, closed gas stations and endless lines illustrate the growing shortage. Residents fear an increase in power outages, which are already frequent and sometimes last for several hours. "With this situation, things will get worse, because they won't let the oil in anymore," confides one resident. William Gonzalez, a resident of Matanzas, emphasizing that supplies now rely almost exclusively on Russia.
Washington intensified its pressure on Venezuela by seizing a Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic near Iceland on Wednesday, following a two-week pursuit, according to US officials. This interception, denounced by Moscow as an act of "piracy," is the fourth since the imposition in mid-December of a US blockade targeting sanctioned vessels entering or leaving Venezuelan waters. Another tanker linked to Venezuela was also intercepted earlier off the coast of South America.
For Cuba, the loss of Venezuelan oil represents a major shock. Between January and November of last year, Venezuela exported an average of 27,000 barrels per day to the island, covering about half of its oil deficit, according to maritime data and documents from the national oil company PDVSA. "The repercussions will not be good. Venezuela was one of the countries that helped us the most in terms of energy," explains Mario Valverde, entrepreneur in Havana.
While Mexico has become a significant supplier, the president claudia sheinbaum He specified that deliveries had not increased recently. In the streets, anger mingles with resignation. "We are very unhappy with Donald Trump's attitude toward Venezuela," says Manuel Rodriguez, an island resident. "If the power outages worsen, we will have to endure them and resist, as we always have."
