Diaz-Canel: Cuba power crisis hitting water, health services

Cuba’s energy crisis, exacerbated by dwindling oil reserves and halted Venezuelan fuel shipments, has severely impacted water and healthcare services, according to President Miguel Díaz-Canel. The government has prioritized energy allocation for economic activities, including agriculture and industrial production, leading to prolonged blackouts in residential areas, particularly in Havana and other provinces. Díaz-Canel acknowledged that electricity shortages have intensified since December 2025, with daytime outages worsening due to fuel scarcity and aging infrastructure.

Health Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda reported that hospitals face critical challenges, including nonfunctional medical equipment, fuel-starved ambulances, and disrupted supply chains for medications. Over 5 million Cubans with chronic illnesses, including 16,000 cancer patients, are at risk of interrupted treatment. Persistent power outages have also crippled water supply systems, compounding public health risks.

The Cuban government has initiated distributed energy projects, such as 49 photovoltaic parks with 1,000 megawatts of capacity, but these efforts remain insufficient to offset fuel shortages and thermoelectric plant failures. Díaz-Canel emphasized that economic stabilization is necessary to address long-term challenges, though critics argue the strategy prioritizes state control over citizen welfare.

U.S. sanctions, including tariffs on oil suppliers and restrictions on fuel imports, have deepened the crisis, according to Cuban officials. The Trump administration cited Cuba's alleged support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as justification for the measures, which have limited Havana's access to critical energy resources. With no immediate resolution in sight, the intersection of energy, healthcare, and water systems remains a pressing concern for Cuba's economic and social stability.