KINGSTON, Jamaica—In response to Cuba’s severe energy crisis, the Jamaican government has announced urgent plans to install solar panels at its embassy in Havana. The initiative aims to maintain diplomatic operations amid extensive power outages that have created challenging working conditions for embassy staff.
Foreign Affairs Minister Kamina Johnson Smith addressed the situation during Wednesday’s post-Cabinet media briefing at Jamaica House, publicly acknowledging the dedication of embassy personnel working under considerable strain. “We’re seeking to install a solar system at our embassy because the embassy itself is severely challenged,” Johnson Smith stated. “The staff there, I really have to express [the Government’s] appreciation to them publicly because they are standing up under the strain.”
The minister emphasized that solar implementation would enable more predictable operational hours for the diplomatic mission. This move comes as Cuba experiences some of its worst blackouts in decades, exacerbated by complex geopolitical factors.
Cuba’s energy crisis has deepened significantly following the disruption of oil supplies from Venezuela, traditionally its primary energy partner. The situation deteriorated further after the Trump administration intensified the six-decade-old U.S. embargo in January, implementing additional sanctions. Concurrently, Mexico ceased oil shipments to Cuba under pressure from U.S. threats, creating a perfect storm that has left many Cuban institutions and households without reliable electricity.