Securing financial sustainability and advancing toward the use of renewable energy are among the top priorities in the face of the U.S. financial and energy blockade against Cuba, First Vice Minister of Transport Luis Roberto Rosés Hernández explained to Sputnik.

Cuba seeks to ensure financial support to develop the country and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels by promoting renewable energy amid limitations arising from the U.S. financial and energy embargo, he shared.

"Therefore, we must finalize renewable energy projects to move away from the use of fossil fuels," he emphasized within the framework of the 5th International Transport Summit held in Moscow.

Key Areas of International Cooperation to Develop Cuban Transportation

The development of rail transport, aircraft maintenance, logistics, and electric mobility are among the most critical issues for the country, he noted.

"A large percentage of the train cars and locomotives currently operating in our country are of Russian origin, and we are promoting several projects to sustain and enhance this area in two directions: one involves rail infrastructure, and the other involves the development of rolling stock, locomotives, and cars," pointed out the Cuban First Vice Minister of Transport.

Cuba Attends the 2026 Moscow International Transport Summit

Cuba participated in the 5th edition of the Moscow International Transport Summit, an event concluding today, where the Caribbean nation presented its strategic priorities despite the complex situation facing the sector.

In an exclusive statement to Prensa Latina, First Vice Minister of Transport Luis Rosés commented that attendees learned how the island nation—despite the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States, alongside an intensified energy siege this year—is advancing strategies and actions toward a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable system.

In this regard, he detailed that Washington's economic pressure measures directly cause shortages of fuel, spare parts, equipment, and logistical services, which severely reduces passenger and freight mobility.

Rosés added that representatives from more than 50 participating countries were briefed on measures by Cuba's Ministry of Transport (Mitrans) to boost foreign currency earnings and transform the sector's energy matrix, prioritizing clean technologies and sustainable mobility.

The official highlighted several active and ongoing initiatives, including Havana's Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan, electric vehicles designated for hemodialysis patients, electric cargo tricycles, eco-vehicles, public bike-sharing systems, route microbuses, and the local manufacturing of railbuses.

The Cuban delegation—which also included Mitrans Director of International Relations Ivet Caballero and sector policy specialist Reinier Hernández—underscored the Program for Resilient and Low-Carbon Transport Development in Cuba.

According to Rosés, this initiative is designed to promote safe, inclusive, and environmentally friendly mobility through infrastructure modernization, the progressive adoption of electric vehicles, the rollout of charging stations, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

"As part of our projections for 2026, we reaffirmed our commitment to continue promoting collaboration and investment projects, strengthening public-private partnerships, expanding maritime and air transport capacity, facilitating logistics operations for foreign trade, and consolidating the sector's financial sustainability," the Vice Minister emphasized.

Cuba's participation in the summit strengthened cooperation ties with institutions and enterprises from various countries while identifying new opportunities for joint initiatives to modernize the national transport system.

The Caribbean delegation also extended an invitation to foreign governments, businesses, investors, and specialists to attend the upcoming International Transport and Logistics Fair, scheduled to take place in Havana in 2027, as a forum to foster exchange, innovation, and business opportunities.

On the sidelines of the event, the Vice Minister and his delegation met with Cuba's Ambassador to Russia, Enrique Orta, as well as several Russian partners involved in key transport sector projects.