This isn't a scene from a dystopian film or a war-torn nation. It's nighttime in Havana. Fifth Avenue, one of the key thoroughfares in the Cuban capital, is shrouded in near-total darkness. "As you can see, there's hardly any light. The streetlights are off. Few cars pass by," a reporter from the EFE agency describes while navigating the area.
The scene encapsulates the daily reality for millions of Cubans: power outages lasting over 20 hours, rationed fuel, garbage accumulating on the streets, and a country seemingly moving in slow motion. "Everything has come to a standstill," the journalist declares in a video filmed in the heart of the capital.
The reporter elaborates that the shortage of oil has exacerbated a long-standing crisis, which now feels different. Lines for gasoline, once lasting days, have stretched into weeks. Diesel service stations have closed. Garbage trucks are absent because there's no fuel. The build-up of waste on sidewalks and corners has become part of the urban landscape.
The electrical supply is also hit hard. Previously, blackouts typically lasted ten to fifteen hours, but now they can exceed twenty in many parts of the country. Nights pass in darkness, without fans, without refrigeration, unable to preserve food amid stifling heat.
According to AFP reports, approximately 30 hotels and tourist complexes have temporarily closed due to low occupancy and fuel rationing. Several airlines have canceled routes or made additional stops to refuel outside the island, given the lack of fuel at Cuban airports.
"There was a risk I couldn't return because the airport says it doesn't have enough fuel for planes," American tourist Liam Burnell told AFP. Other visitors have opted to shorten their trips due to uncertainty over obtaining transportation. "I only found one taxi," said Frenchman Frédéric Monnet, worried about running out of options to return to Havana.
Beyond tourists fearing being stranded, the crisis directly impacts hundreds of thousands of Cubans. Around 300,000 rely on tourism for their livelihood. "The situation is critical, critical, critical," stated Juan Arteaga, a driver of one of the classic 1950s cars that usually ferry tourists around the capital. "When I run out of gas, I go home. What else can I do?"
Footage from the EFE video shows nearly deserted streets, public lighting turned off, and an atmosphere reminiscent of the island's worst energy crisis moments. Without fuel, without transportation, and with prolonged blackouts, daily life becomes a constant obstacle course.
For many Cubans, the feeling isn't just one of scarcity but of paralysis. Tackling daily challenges—finding food, moving around the city, working—grows increasingly difficult in a country where electricity and fuel have become unpredictable commodities.
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Economic Crisis
What has caused the current energy crisis in Cuba?
The current energy crisis in Cuba is primarily due to a shortage of oil, which has worsened a long-standing economic crisis. This has resulted in prolonged power outages, fuel rationing, and disruption of essential services.
How is the tourism industry affected by Cuba's fuel shortage?
The tourism industry in Cuba is severely impacted, with around 30 hotels and tourist complexes temporarily closing due to low occupancy and fuel rationing. Airlines have also canceled or rerouted flights due to the lack of fuel at airports.
What are the daily challenges faced by Cubans during this crisis?
Cubans face a myriad of challenges, including accessing food, transportation, and maintaining employment. The unpredictability of electricity and fuel supply complicates these everyday tasks.