US Intensifies Pressure on Cuba Amid Energy Collapse and CIA Visit
On May 14, 2026, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy revealed that Cuba has depleted its reserves of diesel and fuel oil, prompting protests in Havana. Since February 4, the US has carried out at least 25 intelligence flights near Cuba using various aircraft. On the same day, CIA Director John Ratcliffe engaged with Cuban officials, including Raúl Rodríguez Castro. Cuba refuted claims of posing a threat to US security and denied harboring terrorists. The Trump administration imposed stricter sanctions on Cuban entities, targeting GAESA and its director Ania Guilermina Lastres Morera. President Miguel Díaz-Canel attributed the crisis to the "genocidal US blockade," while UN Secretary General António Guterres urged for dialogue, asserting the blockade breaches international law.
Key facts
- Cuba exhausted diesel and fuel oil reserves as of May 14, 2026.
- Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy announced the depletion on state media.
- Protests erupted in Havana with banging pots, burning blockades, and clashes with police.
- US conducted at least 25 surveillance flights off Cuba since February 4, 2026.
- Aircraft used include P-8A Poseidon, RC-135V Rivet Joint, and MQ-4C Triton.
- CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Cuban officials in Havana on May 14, 2026.
- Cuba denied being a threat or harboring terrorists.
- Trump administration imposed secondary sanctions on GAESA, its director, and Moa Nickel SA.
- US gave foreign firms four weeks to wind down transactions with GAESA entities.
- Venezuela and Mexico halted oil shipments to Cuba in January 2026.
- Russia delivered 730,000 barrels of crude oil in late March 2026.
- President Miguel Díaz-Canel blamed the US blockade for the crisis.
- US sanctions have targeted Cuba's international medical missions.
- Lancet study estimated 564,000 annual deaths from US-led sanctions since 1970.
- UN Secretary General Guterres called for dialogue and said blockade violates international law.
Entities
Institutions
- CIA
- CNN
- Drop Site News
- Financial Times
- US Navy
- US Air Force
- US State Department
- Treasury Department
- GAESA
- Moa Nickel SA
- Sherritt International
- Meliá
- Iberostar
- Catholic Church
- Florida International University
- Institute for Cuban Studies
- Rossiya 24
- United Nations
- Lancet
- CEPR
- New York Times
- Axios
- Responsible Statecraft
- Air Force One
Locations
- Havana
- Cuba
- Santiago de Cuba
- United States
- Washington
- Venezuela
- Mexico
- Iran
- Russia
- Canada
- European Union
- Latin America
- China
- Miami
- Persian Gulf
- Middle East