Two Mexican vessels carrying 80,000 barrels of fuel are heading to Cuba to help mitigate the island's energy crisis. This aid arrives at a critical time, with power outages exceeding 20 hours daily affecting wide areas. Pemex's shipment covers slightly more than the daily crude deficit faced by the Caribbean nation.
Cuba's energy crisis has intensified since mid-2024, marked by frequent breakdowns in its obsolete power plants and a shortage of foreign currency to import fuel. Over the past twelve months, the national grid has suffered five total collapses and several partial ones, stalling the economy and heightening social discontent.
The island requires about 110,000 barrels of oil daily for basic needs, with roughly 40,000 coming from domestic production. Sixty percent of consumed fuel is imported, and 65% powers the thermoelectric plants. Amid doubts over Venezuela's supply due to external pressures, Mexico steps in with this shipment.
The vessels Ocean Mariner and Eugenia Gas, both flying the Liberian flag, carry the 80,000 barrels from Pemex's Pajaritos complex. The Eugenia Gas is already sailing along Cuba's north coast toward the port of Moa, while the Ocean Mariner finishes loading. These hydrocarbons offer temporary relief, covering a bit more than one day's crude deficit.
This cooperation highlights regional tensions in energy supply, where Cuba relies heavily on external allies to sustain its infrastructure.
