Prolonged blackouts, reduced transportation, jobs at risk and rising prices make up the new face of the energy crisis that hits Cuba. On the island of 9.6 million inhabitantsthe real state of the fuel reserves remains an unknown, while the government’s emergency measures will extend at least until the beginning of March.
The suspension of the sale of diesel and the drastic restriction of gasoline have paralyzed
much of the mobility. Drivers can only purchase 20 liters through a
official application, in a process that can take months. Public transportation is
contracted and private taxis doubled rates. “Times are complicated,” he says.
Yixander Díaz, a bricklayer who returned to his old job after leaving his job as a taxi driver due to the lack of oil.
You may also be interested in: ‘If they touch Americans there will be serious consequences’: White House warns drug cartels
The reduction of the working day to four days and the economic slowdown threaten
to the private sector. According to the consulting firm Auge, 96.4% of the 8,904 SMEs face a
“severe to catastrophic” impact. In Old Havana, parker Alexander Callejas fears losing his income due to the drop in customers.
Local production, of 40 thousand barrels per day, barely supports the thermoelectric plants. Between
January and mid-February, electricity availability fell 20% compared to 2025, although
solar generation grew 42.3%. Even so, blackouts are daily.
The increase in fuel prices impacts food in a country that imports 80% of what it consumes. On the black market, a liter of oil fetches five dollars.
Leave a Reply