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Cuba is on the verge of collapse. After the Cuban Missile Crisis, Cuba was dependent on economic aid from the Soviet Union and later Russia. Among other things, this dependence had an impact on the energy supply. Cuba’s energy supply was based on cheap oil from the Soviet Union. As long as they had access to this cheap oil from the Soviet Union and later Russia, everything was fine. But for Russia, Cuba is no longer as important. The supply of oil has stopped. Now it is Nicaragua that supplies Cuba with oil.

Poor maintenance of oil-fired power plants

The absence of Russian money in general in Cuba’s economy has consequences. This, combined with sanctions from the US, means that Cuba’s economy is bleeding. Since the Cuban Missile Crisis, maintenance has been a low-priority area. This also applies to the maintenance of the country’s oil-fired power stations. These are old and desperately need upgrading. Cuba’s lack of alternatives to oil as an energy source means that the country’s energy supply is about to collapse.

From Nauten’s point of view, the conditions for solar energy in Cuba should be ideal. The problem is that access to cheap Russian oil meant that Cuba did not prioritize energy sources other than oil. The US sanctions have also made it difficult to obtain essential components for solar panels.

As a result of the collapse, the country is experiencing constant power outages and major problems supplying electricity.

Cuba and Nicaragua

Cuba buys some cheap oil from Nicaragua. The problem with this oil is its quality. It is lower than the oil they had previously used. The processing of this oil is also a problem for Cuba.

Relations between the two communist nations have been close for many years. Cuba supported the revolutionary Sandinista period in Nicaragua. Among other things, Cuba sent 90,000 tons of oil that it had received from the Soviet Union to Nicaragua. Cuba also assisted the Sandinista government in Nicaragua with military advice and teachers for the school, as well as health personnel. After the communists lost power in Nicaragua, relations temporarily deteriorated. It became good again when the communists with Daniel Ortega were elected president in 2007.

Nicaragua, which has the world’s largest oil reserves, is one of the few friends Cuba has. The problem for Cuba is that Nicaragua is also experiencing an economic crisis. Its oil production is subject to US sanctions, making it difficult to sell oil from Nicaragua.

Energy and economy will collapse

As Cuba had access to Soviet and Russian oil for many years, very cheaply (in fact free of charge), little was invested in other energy sources. Today, the country’s problem is also financial. There are very few funds to invest in other energy sources. There is also little money for essential maintenance.

Cuba must do something about its economy and energy supply. Sanctions against the communist regime make this very difficult. Cuba is on the verge of collapse.

Sources:

https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/04/americas/cuba-power-blackout-cuts-intl/index.html

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2nezzw8z9o

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba%E2%80%93Nicaragua_relations