A recent video shared by content creator Edgar from the "Cuba a todo color" account reveals a stark image of Havana's Monumental Avenue. The once-busy street lies completely devoid of cars, shrouded in darkness, as people are forced to walk along the road due to the total absence of public transportation.
In the footage, Edgar records over a minute without a single vehicle passing through this crucial artery that links the eastern part of the capital to the city center via the bay tunnel. "Empty streets in Havana. This is Monumental Avenue, leading out of the tunnel and connecting the east with the center of Havana. It's all dark," Edgar narrates as his camera captures the desolate lanes.
"Nothing is happening. We could be here for ten minutes, it's dark and there's no traffic. I've been filming for a minute and haven't seen anything," Edgar continues before concluding, "People are walking. Is there any transport? No buses. There's nothing. People have to walk to their municipalities, wherever they need to go."
Structural Collapse of Transportation
This scenario is not an isolated incident. On February 6, 2026, all urban routes in Havana were officially halted due to a shortage of fuel, with state passenger transport across the island plummeting by 93% between January and September 2025.
The roots of this collapse are deeply embedded in structural issues. Venezuela ceased its oil shipments to Cuba in November 2025, followed by Mexico in January 2026, leaving the island without imported oil for months. Cuba's domestic production is a mere 40,000 barrels per day against a demand of 90,000 to 110,000 barrels, a gap the regime has been unable to bridge.
Visible Impact on Havana's Streets
The effects of this crisis are evident throughout the capital. Major thoroughfares like the Malecón appear similarly deserted, with traffic lights turned off and no traffic police in sight. By June 2026, the price of gasoline on the informal market ranged between 4,000 and 6,000 pesos per liter, while the government set an official price of $2.60 per liter as of May 15.
Even Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted in April 2026 that Cuba "lacks fuel for almost everything," an acknowledgment not followed by any tangible solutions for the public.
The Bay Tunnel: A Symbol of Crisis
Havana's bay tunnel, capable of handling up to 1,500 vehicles per hour across its 733 meters, stands as a poignant symbol of the collapse. On June 21, a group of Havana residents waited over seven hours at bus stops without a single bus appearing, eventually walking through the tunnel on foot.
The transportation crisis is worsening alongside the electrical collapse. On July 6, Cuba endured its third total blackout of the year, leaving nearly 10 million people without power for around 37 consecutive hours, with a generation shortfall of 2,100 MW against a demand of 3,200 MW.
Analysts draw parallels to the Special Period of the 1990s, yet they emphasize that in key areas like transportation collapse, the current crisis is even more severe.
Understanding Cuba's Transportation and Fuel Crisis
What caused the transportation collapse in Cuba?
The transportation collapse in Cuba was primarily caused by a severe shortage of fuel, as Venezuela and Mexico halted oil shipments to the island, leaving it without imported oil for months.
How has the fuel shortage affected public transport in Havana?
The fuel shortage has led to the official halt of all urban routes in Havana, forcing residents to walk long distances due to the lack of public buses.
What are the current fuel prices in Cuba?
As of June 2026, gasoline prices on the informal market in Cuba range between 4,000 and 6,000 pesos per liter, while the official government price is set at $2.60 per liter.