China Reaffirms Support for Cuba's Sovereignty, Pledges Aid Amid Energy Crisis

China publicly reaffirmed political and humanitarian backing for Cuba in mid‑February 2026, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian saying, “I would like to stress again that China firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding national sovereignty and security and opposing external interference.” Lin added, “China stands firmly against the inhumane actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development. China will, as always, do our best to provide support and assistance to Cuba.”

The pledge comes as Cuba contends with severe fuel shortages, widespread power outages and what has been described in reporting as a month‑long aviation fuel shutdown tied to sanctions and restrictions on supplies. Cuba’s energy emergency follows a loss of overseas fuel sources that once included Venezuelan petroleum, which provided around 75 percent of the island’s imported oil a few years ago, and government authorities have imposed strict fuel rationing while seeking alternate supplies.

Chinese cooperation on power generation is already visible on the ground in Cuba. In Guanajay, Artemisa, the Chinese donation’s seventh 5 MW solar photovoltaic park (PSFV) of the first stage was inaugurated with Ambassador Hua Xin speaking at the ceremony. That first stage comprises seven 5 MW units, a total of 35 MW installed capacity, and Cuban officials report rapid progress on the next phase. Rivas Saavedra said, “the first supplies have arrived in the country and the rest will be received before the end of this year, which will allow for its construction and commissioning in the first quarter of 2026.”

Beyond the 5 MW units, Chinese aid to Cuba includes distributed generation equipment, spare parts and an initial donation of 5,000 photovoltaic systems for isolated homes, with plans discussed to install another 5,000 home systems. Project descriptions list an 85 MW second phase under way and a proposed next project to install another 200 MW. One government briefing quoted the donation as a contribution that “will add 120 MW to the National Electric System (SEN),” while the project breakdown identifies the first stage as 35 MW and a second phase of 85 MW; authorities say the phases together underpin the reported 120 MW addition.

Cuban officials expressed public gratitude for the assistance. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment “reiterated her gratitude ‘for the systematic gestures of support from the People’s Republic of China to Cuba at this complex time we are facing, in particular the cooperation in the energy sector.’” Cuban planners expect deliveries and construction activity tied to the second phase to enable commissioning early in 2026.

International pressure and diplomatic friction remain part of the context. The United Nations has raised concern about growing fuel shortages and their impact on people, and reports note threats of tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba. Beijing’s statements stressing sovereignty and opposition to external interference position Chinese aid as both practical energy assistance and diplomatic support as Cuba navigates shortages, rationing and efforts to stabilize the National Electric System in the coming months.