U.S. Embassy Warns its Citizens of Power Outages, Fuel Shortages, and ‘Regime-Sponsored Protest Activity’ in Cuba
The U.S. embassy in Cuba warned American citizens of worsening conditions on the Caribbean island, citing widespread power outages, fuel shortages, and an increase in government-sponsored protests targeting the United States.
The embassy also said there have been incidents of U.S. citizens being denied entry upon arrival.
In an advisory published on its website, the embassy said Cuba‘s national electrical grid is “increasingly unstable” and that prolonged scheduled and unscheduled blackouts are now a daily occurrence, including in Havana. The outages, the embassy said, are affecting water supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications.
“There is also a shortage of fuel affecting transportation and resulting in long lines at gas stations,” the embassy said, warning that while some hotels, hospitals, and businesses rely on generators, fuel shortages may limit their ability to maintain services. U.S. citizens were urged to “take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.”
The advisory also warned of heightened political tensions. “U.S. citizens in Cuba or planning to travel to Cuba are advised that there have been incidents of U.S. citizens being denied entry upon arrival as well as a spike in regime-sponsored protest activity directed at the United States, including anti-U.S. rhetoric,” the embassy said.
The embassy encouraged Americans to monitor daily updates from Cuba’s state-run electrical utility, follow local media, maintain contact with family and friends, and prepare for prolonged power outages by keeping phones and battery banks charged, stocking nonperishable food and water, and planning for medical needs that require electricity or refrigeration.
The warning comes amid escalating pressure by the Trump administration on Cuba’s energy supplies. In recent weeks, Washington has moved to block oil shipments to the island, including supplies from Venezuela, contributing to fuel shortages and blackouts. Cuba has relied heavily on imported oil to sustain its power grid and transportation system.
European and Latin American embassies in Havana have reportedly begun updating evacuation and contingency plans in response to the deteriorating situation while some foreign missions are said to be preparing for extended periods without electricity or running water.
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, a Republican from Florida, urged tourists and foreign governments to leave Cuba last week, calling on allies to close embassies and evacuate personnel. Cuban officials have rejected such warnings, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemning U.S. measures as an attempt to impose a “total blockade” on the island’s fuel supplies.
Originally published on Latin Times
