Fuel Difficulties in Cuba Due to Blockade
Drivers in Cuba have faced numerous difficulties for many years; however, the oil blockade by the United States may prove to be one of the most serious. Due to the effective cutoff of supplies, drivers reportedly have to wait several months to obtain fuel.
Government Restrictions and Queues
According to the Associated Press, the Cuban government has implemented restrictions and required drivers to load a special application to receive fuel. Unfortunately for many, the nearest available appointments are scheduled for “weeks or months from now.”
The publication spoke with one individual who reported having an appointment number “seven thousand and something” at a gas station in Havana. However, this station serves only 50 appointments per day, meaning the person faces an enormous wait.
Online Communities and Limitations
Online groups have been created to help drivers obtain fuel, and reportedly, some gas stations accept up to 90 appointments per day. Unfortunately, one can only sign up for one gas station at a time, and some people, upon logging in, find over 10,000 people ahead of them in the queue.
When drivers finally receive fuel, they are limited to only about 20 liters. This is not much, especially considering that refueling again may require weeks of waiting.
The measures taken by the US government on January 29, based on the false assumption of an alleged threat to US national security, which threaten to impose penalties in the form of tariffs on those countries that export fuel to Cuba, create a challenge of enormous scale for all states.
Black Market and Economic Consequences
Unsurprisingly, in conditions of shortage, a black market for fuel exists. Prices there are reported to reach up to $6 per liter, while at gas stations fuel costs about $1.30. This means a gallon of black market fuel can cost around $24, an astronomical sum considering that state employees earn less than $20 per month.
Reasons for the Supply Halt
The latest crisis in Cuba can be traced to the overthrow and capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. That country supplied Cuba with fuel, but now these supplies have stopped. President Trump has also threatened severe tariffs on countries that supply fuel to Cuba.
Earlier this month, Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister condemned “the persecution of ships delivering fuel to our country.” Officials also noted that fuel reserves are being allocated to keep the most critical services running, such as water distribution. Because of this, even garbage collection has taken a back seat, and trash is rapidly accumulating.
Cuba is ready for dialogue with the United States. Without pressure, without preconditions, on equal terms, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our determination.
Prospects for Dialogue
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that the country is “ready to engage in dialogue with the United States, but without pressure, without preconditions, on equal terms, with respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our determination.”
It is unlikely, but President Trump recently announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is negotiating with the country. However, it remains unclear when, or if, help will arrive.
The fuel situation in Cuba is a vivid example of how geopolitical decisions can have a direct and profound impact on the daily lives of ordinary citizens. The emergence of a black market and social networks as a tool for solving logistical problems show society’s adaptation to extreme conditions. The long-term consequences of such crises often extend beyond economic hardships, affecting social structure and trust in institutions. The further development of events will depend not only on foreign policy negotiations but also on the internal resilience and resources of Cuban society itself.