Cuba's energy crisis reached a breaking point this week when government officials confirmed the island has exhausted its oil reserves. Gas stations across Havana sit empty as the country grapples with its worst fuel shortage in decades. The depletion threatens to paralyze transportation networks and further damage an economy already reeling from years of decline.

The shortage traces back to January, when the Trump administration cut off oil shipments from Venezuela that had supplied most of Cuba's petroleum. Venezuela had been providing roughly 70 percent of the island's crude needs before the policy change took effect. With that lifeline severed, Cuban refineries have struggled to maintain operations, leaving the country dependent on limited alternative sources.

Cuba now faces severe economic disruption as businesses close and daily life becomes increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens. The government scrambles to secure emergency fuel supplies while managing growing public frustration over the shortages. This energy crisis represents the most significant challenge to the island's stability in recent memory, with no immediate resolution in sight.