Protests erupt in Havana amid severe blackouts as Cuba faces critical fuel shortage
Protests broke out across Havana on May 13, 2026, as residents responded to rolling blackouts lasting up to 22 hours per day. Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy confirmed the country had no fuel or diesel reserves, calling the grid situation 'critical.' Demonstrators blocked roads with burning debris and chanted for electricity restoration. The crisis follows a U.S. January 2026 executive order restricting oil exports to Cuba, which has limited fuel imports. Cuba has sought alternative suppliers, but global energy market disruptions due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran and lack of deliveries from traditional partners like Venezuela and Mexico have compounded the challenge. While some renewable energy capacity exists, grid instability limits its effectiveness. The protests mark the largest single night of demonstrations since the energy crisis began.
RNZ provides more complete and contextually nuanced coverage, incorporating international legal perspectives, energy infrastructure details, and global market impacts. Sky News emphasizes political confrontation and potential U.S. military escalation, using more emotive and speculative framing.
- ✓ Protests erupted in Havana on the night of May 13, 2026, in response to severe rolling blackouts.
- ✓ Blackouts in parts of Havana lasted 20 to 22 hours per day.
- ✓ Cuba’s energy minister, Vicente de la O Levy, stated publicly that the country had 'absolutely no fuel' and 'no diesel reserves,' describing the power grid as in a 'critical' state.
- ✓ The protests involved hundreds of people, including road blockades with burning rubbish, pot-banging, and chants such as 'Turn on the lights!'
- ✓ The protests were among the largest single-night demonstrations in Havana since the energy crisis began in January 2026.
- ✓ The U.S. imposed a fuel blockade on Cuba through an executive order in January 2026, restricting countries from exporting oil to Cuba under threat of tariffs.
- ✓ Cuba’s energy crisis is linked to pre-existing infrastructure issues and fuel shortages.
- ✓ Reuters was a primary source of on-the-ground reporting for both outlets.
Attribution of cause for fuel shortage
Also cites the U.S. blockade but adds context about global energy market disruptions due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, rising oil prices, and lack of alternative suppliers (Mexico, Venezuela). Notes only one Russian tanker has delivered fuel since December.
Emphasizes the U.S. blockade as the primary cause, linking it directly to Trump's 'takeover' rhetoric and military actions, including the capture of Maduro. Attributes collapse of Venezuelan oil shipments to U.S. military intervention.
Geopolitical framing
Takes a more measured approach, citing the UN’s criticism of the blockade as unlawful and affecting basic rights, but avoids speculative invasion narratives. Focuses on diplomatic and economic dimensions.
Frames the crisis as part of a broader U.S. strategy to destabilize and potentially invade Cuba, using alarmist language like 'Cuba is on its knees—and 'next' on Trump's list'.
Coverage of international context
Explicitly connects the fuel import challenge to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, which has driven up global oil and transport costs, complicating Cuba’s efforts to secure fuel despite open negotiations.
Links the crisis to the capture of Maduro and cessation of Venezuelan oil, but does not mention the Iran war’s impact on global energy prices.
Reporting on energy alternatives
Notes that Cuba has installed 1,300 MW of solar power, but grid instability due to fuel shortages reduces efficiency and output.
Does not mention Cuba’s renewable energy efforts or grid limitations.
Tone toward security forces
Does not mention police behavior or crowd dispersal when power returned, omitting a detail that may suggest protest dynamics.
States police had a 'heavy presence' but 'largely stood by to observe'.
Sky News
Framing: Sky News frames the protests as a symptom of U.S.-driven regime destabilization, emphasizing political confrontation and potential military escalation. It positions the crisis as part of a broader narrative of American aggression against leftist governments.
Tone: Alarmist and politically charged, with a focus on U.S. culpability and existential threat to Cuba
Framing By Emphasis: Headline uses 'protests break out' and 'worst blackouts in decades' to emphasize crisis and unrest, setting an urgent tone.
"Protests break out in Havana during Cuba's worst blackouts in decades"
Sensationalism: Uses phrase 'Cuba is on its knees—and 'next' on Trump's list' in body text, implying imminent U.S. military action without evidence.
"Cuba is on its knees - and 'next' on Trump's list"
Cherry Picking: Links energy crisis directly to U.S. capture of Maduro, implying causation without sourcing or analysis.
"January also saw the US military capture Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, which led to critical petroleum shipments from South America being halted."
Narrative Framing: Describes Trump suggesting Cuba could be 'next' for military takeover, framing event within broader geopolitical threat narrative.
"He and other Republican politicians have suggested Cuba could be the next country targeted by the US military"
Omission: Fails to mention Cuba's renewable energy efforts or global oil price increases due to Iran war, omitting key context.
Appeal To Emotion: Uses emotionally charged language like 'left in darkness' and 'Cuba on its knees' to amplify suffering.
"Cuba left in darkness after third power cut in a month"
RNZ
Framing: RNZ frames the crisis as a result of U.S. sanctions intersecting with global energy disruptions and domestic infrastructure limits. It emphasizes humanitarian and legal dimensions, avoiding speculative military narratives.
Tone: Measured and contextual, focusing on structural and systemic causes with attribution to official and international sources
Framing By Emphasis: Headline emphasizes 'US blockade' as central cause, but uses neutral phrasing 'protests flare' and 'power cuts deepen'.
"Protests flare across Havana, as power cuts deepen amid US blockade"
Proper Attribution: Notes UN has called the blockade 'unlawful' due to impact on basic rights, providing international legal context.
"United Nations has called US fuel blockade unlawful, citing impact on Cubans' basic rights"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Mentions Cuba’s 1,300 MW solar capacity and grid instability limiting output, adding technical and infrastructural context absent in Sky News.
"Cuba has installed 1300 megawatts of solar power over the past two years, but much of that capacity is lost to grid instability"
Comprehensive Sourcing: Connects fuel import challenges to rising global oil prices due to U.S.-Israel war with Iran, providing broader economic context.
"rising global oil and transportation prices as a result of the US-Israeli war with Iran were further complicating that effort"
Editorializing: Notes only one Russian tanker has delivered fuel since December, providing concrete evidence of supply scarcity.
"Only a single large oil tanker - the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin - has delivered crude oil to Cuba since December"
Balanced Reporting: Quotes minister saying 'Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel,' highlighting diplomatic outreach and economic desperation.
"Cuba is open to anyone that wants to sell us fuel"
Protests break out in Havana during Cuba's worst blackouts in decades - as minister says 'we have no fuel'
Protests flare across Havana, as power cuts deepen amid US blockade