The Cuban government announced on May 13 that the country had run out of fuel reserves, El Pais reported the same day. Meanwhile, protests erupted across Havana as blackouts have lasted up to 22 hours per day.

Cuban Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy made a televised announcement noting that the country is open to any party willing to sell it fuel. The country's power grid relies on thermoelectric power plants, and 80% of its energy mix requires fuel. The end of fuel reserves occurred amid a U.S. embargo that has prevented all but two oil shipments to Cuba since the start of the year. Havana and Washington have engaged in talks, while reports show an increase in publicly visible U.S. intelligence gathering flights near Cuba since February.