US tariffs threaten Cuba fuel supplies as island faces possible blockade

The United States has authorised extra tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, a step the White House said was to “protect American citizens and interests” and that officials say could stop further fuel shipments to the island.

In Havana, long queues have formed outside petrol stations. At one forecourt in the Vedado neighbourhood people had waited since 6am and a station that takes only US dollars was the only option for drivers. “There is no gas in the national pesos,” one man said as others repaired a vintage car while they waited.

Data consultancy Kpler recorded only one oil shipment to Cuba so far this year — 84,900 barrels from Mexico — and estimated that, given current reserves, Cuba would run out of fuel within the next three weeks if no more tankers arrive, the Financial Times reported. Energy expert Jorge Piñón warned diesel is key to transport, rail, agriculture, industry, water distribution, sugarcane and electricity, which the report said is already leading to many parts of the island suffering 12-hour-plus blackouts every day.

Diplomatic and commercial ties that have supplied oil have frayed. A shipment due from Mexico was cancelled — described by Mexico’s president as a “sovereign decision” — and there have been no supplies from Venezuela since the United States removed Nicolás Maduro on 3 January, the article said.

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