Cuba considers $100m US aid offer as energy crisis worsens

President Miguel Díaz-Canel wrote on social media that the dramatic worsening of the energy crisis was caused by the US blockade, describing it as genocidal and warning of tariffs against fuel suppliers.

Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said Cuba was ready to hear the details of the $100m aid proposal and how it would be implemented, noting it was unclear whether the aid would be cash or in-kind; he added that Cuba does not reject foreign aid offered in good faith and urged de-escalation of the blockade.

The US State Department said it was renewing an offer to provide generous humanitarian aid to the Cuban people, to be distributed in coordination with the Catholic Church and other reliable independent humanitarian organisations, bypassing the Cuban government.

Hundreds of people protested across Havana, blocking roads with burning rubbish and shouting anti-government slogans; it was described as the biggest single night of demonstrations since the energy crisis began in January.

Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy told state media that Cuba had completely run out of diesel and fuel oil, with limited gas available, describing the energy system as being in a 'critical' state due to the US-led blockade.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Havana had rejected a previous US offer of humanitarian aid worth $100 million, a claim Cuba denied.

Washington had imposed fresh sanctions on senior Cuban officials in early May, which Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned as illegal and abusive.