Fuel Shortages Hit Cuba

HAVANA (Reuters) – Cubans are facing a new crisis with severe fuel shortages after enduring months of long blackouts.

Many gas stations across the island have been closed for days due to an unprecedented fuel shortfall, resulting in stranded motorists and long lines at pumps in Havana.

"We have been waiting for a fuel truck to arrive for three days," said Armando Corrales, sitting in his gray Kia SUV at a gas station in the capital. "People have slept here in line so they don't lose their spot."

This latest crisis follows three nationwide blackouts in just two months that plunged millions into darkness for days, prompting the communist government to close schools and non-essential industries temporarily.

Cuba has not provided an explanation for the recent fuel shortfall, but deliveries have been scarce in Havana since Wednesday, as noted by a government application tracking gas station supplies.

Officials have previously attributed fuel shortages to the long-standing U.S. trade embargo, complicating financial transactions and making it harder for the government to buy fuel on the spot market.

Cuban allies have also cut back on fuel shipments this year. Venezuela has reduced crude and fuel exports to the island by 44% from January to November, according to tanker monitoring data and records from the Venezuelan state company PDVSA.

While Mexico has filled some of the gap as a new supplier, both countries primarily provide crude oil, which Cuba’s outdated refineries need to convert into gasoline and diesel.

This year, Cuba started selling fuel in dollars at non-subsidized prices aligned with regional market rates. The government stated this was necessary to gather enough foreign currency for a stable fuel supply.

Despite the price hike at “dollar gas stations,” these too were unable to meet demand this week. Jorge Figueredo, waiting for fuel in the Havana suburb of Miramar, noted, "The lines are now miles long even when you go to buy fuel in dollars."