In a move to revitalize its transportation sector, the Special Development Zone of Mariel and the Ministry of Transport have successfully imported a new fleet of vehicles, including 20 Yutong buses for the National Bus Company and 200 vehicles dedicated to transporting dialysis patients nationwide.
This development was confirmed on Saturday by state-run journalist Bernardo Espinosa through his social media channels, where he shared that the importation is supported by the Transportation Development Fund.
The newly imported Chinese-manufactured buses feature the blue and white branding of Cuba's National Buses.
Earlier, on May 14, a video shared on the Facebook page "Rodando en Ciego de Ávila" had already indicated the presence of these buses in Mariel.
Transportation Crisis Deepens
The arrival of these vehicles occurs amid an unprecedented transportation crisis. On Friday, Transport Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila announced a reduction in the frequency of National Bus Company services between Havana and provincial capitals to just three times per week starting June 18. Routes to Manzanillo and Baracoa will be limited to a single weekly trip.
The transportation infrastructure is in a critical state. By December 2025, only 219 out of 558 interprovincial buses were operational. In March 2026, Ciego de Ávila saw just two out of 135 transport routes functioning.
Urgent Health Needs
The 200 electric vehicles for dialysis services are addressing an equally dire healthcare situation. Over 3,000 Cubans with chronic renal failure rely on regular dialysis sessions across 57 facilities nationwide.
Since February, transportation for these patients has been paralyzed in regions like Las Tunas, Granma, Pinar del Río, Ciego de Ávila, and Villa Clara due to fuel shortages, forcing patients to pay up to 500 pesos per trip or face hospitalization without proper conditions.
The government has promised that these vehicles will be accompanied by charging stations and post-sale services. Additionally, it was confirmed that Viazul and Medibus services, coordinated with the Ministry of Public Health, will remain operational.
Energy Shortages Exacerbate Crisis
The energy backdrop only worsens the situation. On Wednesday, Energy Minister Vicente de la O Levy admitted that Cuba is completely out of diesel and fuel oil.
The following day, the nation recorded its highest ever electricity deficit at 2,153 MW, leaving over 70% of the population without power.
Venezuela halted its oil shipments following the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico nearly ceased its supplies by January 2026. A solitary relief, a Russian shipment of 730,000 barrels, was depleted by early May.
The addition of 20 buses barely scratches the surface of a transportation network functioning at just 39% capacity, in a country where gasoline prices have soared to $2.60 per liter in foreign currency and between 4,000 and 6,000 Cuban pesos on the black market.
Understanding Cuba's Current Transportation and Energy Challenges
Why is Cuba experiencing a transportation crisis?
Cuba's transportation crisis is largely due to a lack of operational vehicles, with a significant portion of the interprovincial bus fleet out of service. This situation is compounded by fuel shortages and economic constraints.
How are dialysis patients affected by the transportation issues?
Dialysis patients are severely impacted, as fuel shortages have halted transportation services in several regions, forcing them to pay high costs for private transport or endure inadequate hospital conditions.
What are the energy challenges facing Cuba?
Cuba is grappling with an acute energy shortage, with no diesel or fuel oil available and a record electricity deficit, leaving the majority of the population without power.