Issued on: 15/02/2026 - 17:45

Cuba has announced the cancellation of its iconic cigar festival due to a major energy crisis on the island triggered by a US blockade of oil shipments, which has worsened a severe fuel shortage and caused widespread blackouts. The United States cut off oil deliveries from key ally Venezuela after the ouster of longtime leader Nicolás Maduro in early January, and President Donald Trump has signed an executive order allowing tariffs on countries that sell oil to Havana, moves that have led to halted oil imports and further strained Cuba’s energy supply. Honorary Senior Research Associate at UCL Institute of the Americas, in Havana, Cuba, Emily Morris joins us for more.

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