Cuba's fuel shortage has worsened due to the halt in Venezuelan oil shipments following Nicolás Maduro's capture by US troops, making even cigarette lighter refills difficult. In Havana, only a handful of gas stations are operating, while digital queues for fuel can take months. The crisis is paralyzing businesses, transportation, and daily life on the island.
The capture of Nicolás Maduro by US troops has disrupted Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, intensifying an already critical fuel shortage. In Holguín, Genaro, who refills disposable lighters, charges 100 pesos per refill, but his business is shrinking as gas prices soar. "Now it's cheaper to buy a new one than to repair it," he says, while domestic gas cylinders cost 50,000 pesos (over $100) on the informal market, with state supplies suspended for weeks.
In Havana, only 11 stations in eastern districts offered service on Saturday, with 10 out of fuel; in the west, seven closed Friday. The Ticket app requires registration with ID, vehicle plate, and license details, but confirmations take two or three months, often yielding only low-octane gasoline. Stations like G and 25 in El Vedado and La Rampa started the day without fuel, while Tangana and L and 17 operated partially.
Talks at stations turn to international politics: Marco Rubio's statements on Havana choosing "change or collapse," and Donald Trump's Truth Social post warning of no more oil or money for Cuba. A motorcyclist remarked: "The situation is tight, I'd never seen it this bad," citing fuel needs for generators during blackouts. Businesses like brothers Karel and Omar's moving service in Cerro have halted operations due to lack of truck fuel. Rafael, a Spanish businessman, expressed frustration after failing to find fuel in Playa, where staff said they had no idea when it would arrive. One worker summed up: "Maduro abandoned us." Cuba's energy dependence turns tremors in Caracas into earthquakes in Havana, with the shortage likely to persist.
