Cuban comedian Otto Ortiz recently took to Instagram, under his handle @malascompaniasmc, to share a satirical take on the exasperating fuel situation in Havana. His humorous reel highlights the lengths residents must go to secure gasoline in the city.
In his post, Otto explains that he has signed up for both gasoline waiting lists in Havana. On the list for purchasing with the national currency, he's number 1,620. Meanwhile, for the dollar-based list, his position is a staggering 15,551.
Trying to remain optimistic, Otto calculated his chances: "If each gas station serves about 50 turns a day, I'll reach the top of the Acapulco station's Cuban peso list in about a month. It's a month, but it's there."
Economic Hurdles and Waiting Games
The catch, however, is that gasoline sales in Cuban pesos have been halted since January. The only viable option for purchasing fuel is in stations that sell in dollars, where the wait will be significantly longer, stretching into "a few months."
A fellow comedian brings Otto's optimism crashing down momentarily. "If you're saying you're number 15,551, hold on. Dude, you're looking at a 10-month wait to buy fuel. How about that?"
The Broader Energy Crisis
This scene succinctly captures the energy crisis gripping Cuba. On February 7, 2026, the regime completely stopped the sale of gasoline in Cuban pesos (CUP) and also halted diesel sales in dollars to civilians. Now, only B90 and B94 gasoline is available for USD, with a strict limit of 20 liters per transaction.
To manage the overwhelming demand, the government introduced the state-run app 'Ticket', created by XETID, which handles waiting lists ranging from 7,000 to 15,000 requests per gas station. Each station can only serve between 50 and 90 vehicles daily.
In the black market, gasoline prices have soared to an astronomical 5,000 Cuban pesos per liter, or around 6 to 8 dollars at the informal exchange rate.
Otto Ortiz is no stranger to this topic. Back in December 2024, he chronicled his 'odyssey' to secure fuel and quipped with a memorable phrase that still resonates: "There are still ministers to be removed."
Understanding Cuba's Fuel Dilemma
Why is gasoline in Havana so difficult to obtain?
The Cuban government has suspended gasoline sales in pesos and limited sales in dollars, causing long waiting lists and a reliance on black market prices.
What measures has the government taken to manage fuel distribution?
The government has implemented the 'Ticket' app to organize and manage the long waiting lists at fuel stations across Havana.
How does the black market impact fuel availability?
The black market offers gasoline at much higher prices, exacerbating the financial strain on citizens and highlighting the inefficiencies of the official distribution system.