The Cuban government on Friday announced a series of emergency measures as the island prepares for severe fuel shortages due to increased pressure from the United States.
In a televised address, Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga blamed Washington for the energy crisis.
He said the government would “implement a series of decisions, first and foremost to guarantee the vitality of our country and essential services, without giving up on development.”
What are Cuba’s emergency measures to reduce energy consumption?
Among the measures that will take effect on Monday are restrictions on fuel sales.
“With insufficient fuel, we cannot maintain the sales levels we had in previous weeks,” said Perez-Oliva Fraga.
The deputy prime minister also said that “essential administrative activities” will only operate from Monday to Thursday to conserve energy.ย
Meanwhile, Labor Minister Jesus Otamendiz stated that the government will prioritize remote work.
In education, school hours will be reduced, and universities will switch to a hybrid model.
The fuel shortage will also affect train travel. Domestic routes will operate every eight days per destination,ย according to Cuban Transportation Minister Eduardo Rodrรญguez.
The island of 9.6 million inhabitants, under US economic embargo since 1962, has been mired in a severe economic crisis for six years.ย
Cuba says ready to talk to US ‘without pressure’
The wide-ranging measures follow President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s address to the nation on state TV and radio on Thursday.
He said Havana is prepared to “engage in dialogue” with Washington, but “without pressure or preconditions.”
The Cuban president also stressed that any talks must take place “from a position of equals, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our self-determination” and without “interference in our internal affairs.”
US President Donald Trump has in recent months made repeated threats against Cuba in an attempt to cut oil supplies to the Communist-run island.
Heavily dependent on oil imports, Cuba is facing a severe energy crisis following Nicolas Maduro’s removal from power in Venezuela โ Cuba’s primary source of oil.
Supplies from Venezuela, however, have stopped since the US launched a deadly military attack last month.ย
Edited by: Sean Sinico