Cuba imported fuels and oils from the United States worth a total of $11,624,773 between January and March 2026, according to data published by the U.S.-Cuba Economic and Trade Council, a figure that reflects the accelerated growth of these transactions amid the worst energy crisis the Island has faced in decades.
The bulk of those purchases took place in March: $8,788,501, equivalent to 75.6% of the total for the quarter, compared to just $88,746 recorded in January and over $2.2 million in February.
The shipments primarily originate from three areas: Houston-Galveston (Texas), Miami (Florida), and New Orleans (Louisiana), and are intended exclusively for the private Cuban sector, under a federal license that excludes the government, the Armed Forces, and state entities of the regime.
The highest value product in the quarter was the category of petroleum oils and derivatives of bituminous minerals, totaling $3,847,669 just from Houston-Galveston in March.
Next are the light fuel oils, which accumulated over 5.3 million dollars in the quarter, also mainly originating from Houston-Galveston.
Unleaded gasoline from Miami totaled $524,926 during the period, while leaded gasoline—primarily used by modern vehicles imported from the U.S.—reached $116,230.
Until the end of March, the agency Reuters documented the shipment of approximately 30,000 barrels (4.8 million liters) to the non-state sector in Cuba, transported in about 200 ISO tanks of 21,600 liters aboard 61 container ships, primarily destined for the port of Mariel.
Among the private importers are bakers, wholesalers who supply small urban markets, and platforms like Supermarket23, linked to descendants of Commander Guillermo García.
This trade flow occurs in the context of an unprecedented energy collapse.
Venezuela interrupted the shipments of subsidized crude oil—about 26,000 barrels per day—following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026. Mexico (Pemex) suspended its shipments on January 9 due to pressure from Washington.
Executive Order 14380, signed by Trump on January 29, 2026, imposed secondary tariffs on any country or entity exporting oil to Cuba, which dissuaded most international suppliers.
Cuba needs between 100,000 and 110,000 barrels per day to meet its total demand and covers around 40% with domestic production of heavy crude.
The deficit has led to power outages of up to 30 hours a day in large areas of the country, a halt in public transportation, and impacts on tourism.
The Office of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce published a guide in February 2026 that authorizes the export of U.S. fuels to eligible private Cuban entities, expressly excluding the Cuban state and its military structures.
The regime, for its part, authorized MIPYMES to import fuel, but with mandatory mediation from QUIMIMPORT or MAPRINTER and a CUPET rate of $0.12 per liter, which raises the final cost to over $2.50 per liter.
Filed under: