Supplemental Info:
Background
Cuba's fuel shortages as of February 2026 are primarily the result of oil supplies being cut off from Venezuela following the removal of President Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026, via a U.S. military operation. This has triggered a cascade of disruptions, compounded by U.S. pressure on other suppliers like Mexico, leading to an acute energy crisis.
The U.S. has explicitly redirected Venezuelan oil exports away from allies like Cuba, China, Russia, and Iran, prioritizing U.S. refineries and markets.
President Trump stated that "there will be no more oil or money going to Cuba – zero," framing it as pressure to force negotiations or regime change. Cuba's reserves are estimated at 4–14 days, risking total grid failure.
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Security Alert
U.S. Embassy Havana
February 3, 2026
Location: Cuba
Cuba’s national electrical grid is increasingly unstable and prolonged scheduled and unscheduled power outages are a daily occurrence across the country to include Havana. Outages affect water supply, lighting, refrigeration and communications.
There is also a shortage of fuel affecting transportation and resulting in long lines at gas stations. While some businesses, hotels, and hospitals use generators during power outages, they may not be able to maintain their services due to fuel shortages. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption. 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.
Actions to Take:
Review daily updates published by UNE (Unión Eléctrica) and follow UNE’s social media accounts.
Monitor local media for updates.
Stay in touch with family and friends.
Prepare for prolonged power outages by:
Keep mobile phones and portable battery banks charged
Have flashlights and spare batteries in a location easy to access
Stock up on nonperishable food and water
Prepare for alternative methods of meeting your medical needs (medical devices requiring power, medicines requiring refrigeration, etc.)
Enroll in state.gov to receive updates from the Embassy.
Assistance:
U.S. Embassy Havana, Cuba
Phone number: +(53) (7) 839-4100; after hours dial 1, then 0
U.S. Citizens: acshavana@state.gov
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Subscribe to the ‘U.S. Citizen Consular Information: Cuba’s WhatsApp channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBWEpNCsU9TsOaCjm3K
State Department – Consular Affairs phone number:
+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444
Cuba Country Information
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates.
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View the Original:
https://cu.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-havana-cuba-february-3-2026/
