U.S. suppliers ship fuel to private businesses in Cuba

U.S. suppliers have delivered approximately 30,000 barrels of fuel to the private sector in Cuba so far this year, according to shipping data and internal documents. This initiative reflects a strategic move by the United States to empower independent businesses while maintaining a strict blockade on state-run enterprises. Since January, Washington has restricted oil supplies to the island's government, but it has carved out a specific exception for the small but growing private sector.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that the authorization of these exports is part of a broader policy aimed at supporting individual citizens.

"authorizing those fuel exports fits with a broader Trump administration policy entirely designed to put the private sector and individual private Cubans – not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military – in a privileged position."

The volume of fuel imported since early February—roughly 1.27 million gallons—is equivalent to about one-tenth of a medium-sized tanker's capacity. While this is a fraction of the 100,000 barrels per day the island typically requires for power plants and transportation, the shipments are reportedly increasing in frequency.

The U.S. has also targeted shipments from Venezuela following the capture of Nicolas Maduro in January, threatening tariffs on any nation providing fuel to the Cuban government. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel recently stated that the island had not received fuel in three months, though he did not mention the private sector's specific supplies.

In 2026, 61 container ships carrying various goods for private firms have arrived at Cuban ports, mainly at Mariel. These vessels often travel between the island and ports in the U.S., Europe, and the Caribbean. Additional ships are currently en route from Spain and Jamaica to discharge cargo by the end of the month.

Data indicates that some of these vessels departed from major energy corridors where products such as those from Warrior Met Coal, Inc. are typically loaded. Others carry technical equipment or multi-purpose cargo, potentially including components from manufacturers like Oiles Corporation. Most U.S.-originated shipments have departed from Florida or the Gulf Coast.

These fresh fuel flows have allowed some private entities to maintain operations despite a broader energy crisis. Business owners report that fuel has begun to reach private breadmakers, wholesalers, and online retailers. One such grocer, Supermarket23, was able to resume delivery services after initially halting orders due to the fuel crunch.

The Cuban government has facilitated this by allowing micro, small, and medium-sized companies to import fuel to mitigate the national energy crisis. However, strict controls are in place to prevent the resale of these imports.

The fuel is primarily transported in ISO tanks designed for safe carriage on container ships. Approximately 200 of these tanks have been discharged, with the vast majority containing diesel rather than gasoline. Diesel is preferred due to the island's limited modern infrastructure for handling more flammable fuels.

U.S. officials have warned that the program will be closely monitored to prevent any diversion of resources to state or military entities.

"If we catch the private sector there playing games and diverting it to the regime or to the military company, if we find that theyre moving that stuff around in ways that violate the spirit and the scope of these permissions, those licenses will be canceled"