The United States has been enforcing a de facto oil blockade on Cuba since the January capture of deposed Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and threatened to impose tariffs on any country that exports fuel to Cuba. The U.S. has been working to pressure the Cuban government into compliance by cutting off fuel, but has reportedly made an exception for the island's private businesses since February. The move has led to the largest energy crisis in Cuba's history, leading to island-wide blackouts and protests against the government. The oil exported to the private sector has allowed some businesses to continue operations despite the pressure. The Cuban government has granted small, small, and medium-sized companies the ability to import fuel to alleviate the energy crisis.