Maduro exacerbated the energy crisis in Cuba by reducing oil shipments to avoid U.S. intervention.

The president Nicolás Maduro offered the Trump administration to open Venezuela's oil and mining projects to American companies and to drastically limit its agreements with Washington's rival powers, in the hope of avoiding a U.S. military intervention.

According to revelations from the newspaper The New York Times, the Venezuelan president even cut oil shipments to Cuba, a measure that has intensified the severe energy crisis that the island is experiencing.

The secret conversations between envoys from both governments extended for months and included the possibility of the United States obtaining a dominant stake in Venezuelan oil, as well as preferential contracts for its companies.

In parallel, Maduro reportedly promised to shift crude oil exports from China to the U.S. market in order to halt the military escalation in the Caribbean, the source indicated.

Although the advances were made in the economic sphere, the Trump administration suspended the negotiations last week.

The break occurred after Marco Rubio, Secretary of State and the main proponent of the hardline approach towards Caracas, warned that any agreement with Maduro would mean “legitimizing a fugitive from U.S. justice.”

Sources cited by the newspaper indicate that the Venezuelan leader accepted the idea of scaling back his ties with Beijing, Moscow, and Tehran as an “inevitable price” to avoid a direct conflict with the United States.

In that context, the decision to divert oil to the north left its main political ally without fuel: Cuba, which heavily relies on Venezuelan crude to maintain its electric system.

Meanwhile, the companies Chevron and Shell obtained licenses from the U.S. Treasury to resume operations in Venezuela, a move interpreted as a sign that Washington is still considering an economic avenue with Caracas.

However, Maduro's diplomatic shift did not achieve the desired objective: neither commercial normalization nor relief from sanctions.

The maneuver not only highlighted the exhaustion of the Chavista model, but also revealed the extent to which the Venezuelan regime is willing to sacrifice its closest allies in order to maintain power.

At the end of September, the Trump administration announced a shift in tactics for its anti-drug campaign focused on Venezuela: the operations will move from the maritime front to land routes.

The Pentagon is considering the use of armed drones to carry out targeted strikes against leaders and drug labs within Venezuela, although the final decision rests with Trump.

This intensification follows the largest mobilization of Southern Command since the 1980s, with the deployment of approximately 7,000 personnel, over 15 warships, and F-35 fighters in Puerto Rico.

During these operations, the United States has already sunk at least three vessels from Venezuela, with one incident resulting in 11 deaths, which Washington attributes to the terrorist organization Tren de Aragua.

The Trump administration accuses Maduro of leading the so-called Cartel of the Suns and offers a reward of 50 million dollars for information leading to his capture, an allegation that the Venezuelan government denies.

On October 3rd, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, acknowledged on state television that “the fuel will not last for the entire month of October” and that Cuba only has reserves “for a few days.”

The acknowledgment that the country is facing a new fuel crisis comes just two years after the government promised an "energy recovery", following the collapse of 2023.

However, last month, Cuba saw a notable rebound in the supply of Venezuelan crude oil, with ships reappearing in its ports after months of shortages.

In September, the island received the largest amount of oil this year, averaging 52,000 barrels per day (bpd). This represents an increase of nearly 80% when compared to the 29,000 bpd received during the month of August.

During July, the island received 31,000 bpd of crude oil, gasoline, and jet fuel from the South American nation, according to data and documents.

It should be noted that Cuba received 96,300 bpd of crude oil in 2011 from the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A (PDVSA).

Cuba is experiencing the most severe energy crisis in its recent history, driven by an aging power grid and thermoelectric plants operating well beyond their functional capacity.

The lack of necessary fuel for generation has exacerbated the situation. Despite the announcements of new investments and import agreements, the country remains trapped in a cycle of breakdowns and prolonged maintenance.

With power outages lasting more than 20 hours a day in numerous areas, public frustration is mounting, contrasting with the official narrative that continues to blame external factors instead of acknowledging the government's direct responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Energy Crisis in Cuba and the Role of Venezuela