- Cuban drivers could go weeks or months without fuel.
- US oil blockade is deepening nationwide fuel shortages.
- There’s a growing demand for pricey black market gas.
Drivers in Cuba have faced countless challenges over the years, but the United States’ oil blockade could be one of the worst yet. With supplies effectively cut off, drivers are reportedly looking at waiting several months to get gas.
According to the Associated Press, the Cuban government has rolled out restrictions and forced drivers to download an app to get fuel. Unfortunately for many, the nearest appointments are “several weeks or months from now.”
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The publication spoke to one person, who said they have appointment number “seven thousand and something” at a gas station in Havana. However, the station is only doing 50 appointments per day, so they have a massive wait ahead of them.
Online groups have been established to help drivers get gas and some stations reportedly have up to 90 appointments per day. Unfortunately, you can only sign up for one gas station at a time and some people have logged on to find up to 10,000 people ahead of them in line.
Once drivers finally get gas, they’re limited to a mere 5.3 gallons (20 liters). That’s not much, especially when you could have to wait weeks to refuel.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a black market for fuel in the wake of shortages. Prices are said to be up to $6 per liter (0.26 gallon), which compares to $1.30 at gas stations. This means a gallon of black market gas could cost around $24 per gallon, which is astronomical as government employees make less than $20 per month.
Why Did Shipments Stop?
Cuba’s latest crisis can be traced back to the overthrow and capture of Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro. The country had been supplying Cuba with fuel, but that has now stopped. President Trump has also threatened steep tariffs on countries supplying Cuba.
Earlier this month, Cuba’s Deputy Prime Minister decried the “persecution of ships that bring fuel to our country.” Officials have also noted that fuel supplies are being allocated to ensure essential services – such as water distribution – remain intact. This means even trash collection has fallen by the wayside and garbage is quickly piling up.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has said the country is “willing to engage in dialogue with the United States,” but “without pressure, without preconditions, on an equal footing, in a position of respect for our sovereignty, our independence, and our determination.”
That’s a long shot, but President Trump recently announced Secretary of State Marco Rubio is holding discussions with the country. However, it remains unclear when, or if, relief will arrive.
