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Cuba Admits Fuel Reserves Exhausted As Blackout Protests Spread

Cuba acknowledged Wednesday that it has "absolutely no fuel" left, and widespread blackouts have touched off mass protests and barricades in Havana.[1]

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said at a Wednesday news conference that the country has no oil or diesel remaining, using the phrase "absolutely no fuel." Wall Street Journal The unrest was reported for a third consecutive day on Thursday as demonstrators responded to the outages.[1]

Energy officials made the admission after extensive, nationwide blackouts that have repeatedly provoked street protests and barricades in Havana.[1] The confirmation that fuel reserves are exhausted marks a sharp escalation from earlier outages, and it has heightened fears of further disruption to services and transport.

Coverage continues to develop as officials and residents describe immediate shortages and public demonstrations across the island.[1]

  1. Wall Street Journal
International Energy & Infrastructure Latin America Unrest
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📌 Key Facts

  • Article published Thursday, May 14, 2026, reporting protests for the third day in a row that week
  • Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy said at a Wednesday news conference that Cuba has 'absolutely no fuel' oil or diesel
  • Extensive nationwide blackouts have sparked repeated protests and barricades in Havana

📰 Source Timeline (1)

Follow how coverage of this story developed over time

May 14, 2026
5:15 PM
Protests Erupt in Cuba as Fuel Runs Out
The Wall Street Journal by Santiago Pérez