Cuba Faces Total Oil Depletion and Grid Collapse Amid US Blockade and High-Level Talks

The Cuban government has announced the complete exhaustion of its oil and diesel reserves, triggering a catastrophic energy crisis and widespread power grid collapse. The situation, exacerbated by a stringent US blockade under President Donald Trump, has left many districts in Havana without electricity for up to 22 hours daily, sparking rare public protests and barricades. With Venezuela's supply cut off following regime change there, Cuba can only meet one-third of its energy needs, forcing airlines to cancel flights due to kerosene shortages. In response to the escalating humanitarian emergency, high-level diplomatic engagements have occurred. CIA Director John Ratcliffe led a US delegation to Havana for talks on security and economic stability with Cuban officials, including relatives of former leaders. Simultaneously, the Cuban government is considering a $100 million aid offer from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, contingent on distribution through independent organizations like the Catholic Church. While President Trump signaled willingness to discuss assistance, he maintains pressure for political change, labeling the current regime a threat. The UN has declared the US fuel blockade illegal, yet the island remains in a critical state of infrastructural failure and social unrest.