Cuba Rejects US Diesel Request Amid Fuel Blockade & Embassy Staffing Concerns

HAVANA — The Cuban government has rejected a request from the U.S. Embassy in Havana to import diesel fuel for its power generators, a move that threatens potential staffing reductions at the embassy as the U.S. Grapples with a fuel shortage on the island, according to U.S. Officials.

The rejection, first reported by The Washington Post, comes as the State Department considers scaling back personnel at the Havana embassy due to the lack of diesel. Officials familiar with the matter say any reduction in U.S. Staff would likely prompt a reciprocal decrease in Cuban diplomats stationed in Washington, D.C.

The White House, State Department, and the Cuban Embassy in Washington did not respond to requests for comment.

Cuba’s energy crisis has deepened following the disruption of oil shipments from Venezuela, a key ally of Havana. The situation was exacerbated by former President Donald Trump’s threats of tariffs against any nation supplying Cuba with oil, further restricting access to vital fuel resources.

The island nation is currently relying on its own natural gas reserves, solar energy, and domestic oil production to power its thermoelectric plants, but these sources are insufficient to meet the country’s energy demands. Widespread power outages are impacting daily life for Cuba’s 11 million residents, leading to food spoilage, canceled hospital surgeries, and disruptions to university classes and transportation systems.

The dispute over diesel fuel is unfolding as the Trump administration continues to press for political change in Cuba under President Miguel Díaz-Canel. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have publicly stated their desire to expand U.S. Influence in Cuba, demanding the release of political prisoners and broader political and economic liberalization in exchange for a lifting of sanctions.

According to previous reporting by the Associated Press, the Trump administration has reportedly sought the removal of Díaz-Canel from power, though no specific alternative leadership has been publicly identified. Trump has suggested Cuba’s government is nearing collapse, and after a recent island-wide blackout, reportedly stated he believed he could “seize Cuba” in some form.

Although a potential staffing reduction at the U.S. Embassy is not imminent, one official indicated the embassy has enough diesel reserves to last approximately one month. Access to additional fuel reserves within Cuba is limited, as the government maintains tight control over fuel distribution.

One official noted that the Spanish Embassy in Havana, which possesses a surplus of fuel intended for Spanish-owned hotels – many of which are currently closed due to a decline in tourism – was denied permission by Cuban authorities to share its reserves with other European embassies facing similar shortages.

Last week, Díaz-Canel confirmed that Cuba has engaged in discussions with the U.S. Government, marking the first official acknowledgement of ongoing talks amid the Trump administration’s pressure campaign. Humanitarian organizations have begun delivering aid to Cuba, including solar panels, food, and medicine. Cuba is also anticipating a shipment of Russian oil later this month, its first in three months.