Cuba is currently grappling with severe food and power shortages, exacerbated by restrictions on its oil supply from the U.S. Recent measures have led to a significant decline in fuel availability, impacting daily life across the island. The situation has worsened as Canadian airlines halted flights, leaving many tourists stranded.
Cuba’s Fuel Crisis: A Deepening Humanitarian Situation
Residents are expressing their despair over the dire conditions. Isben Peralta, a small business owner from Ciego De Avila, describes daily life as “not humane.” He struggles with limited electricity, receiving power for only a few hours each day, while many in his area endure even longer outages.
- Peralta experiences blackouts lasting up to 11 hours.
- Others have only 30 minutes of electricity after extended outages.
Impact of U.S. Sanctions
Cuba has historically depended on Venezuela for oil, but recent U.S. actions have disrupted this supply. Following the U.S. seizure of Venezuela’s president, Nicolás Maduro, and the blocking of Venezuelan exports, Cuba has lacked access to vital crude oil since mid-December. This has resulted in shortages of aviation fuel and essential energy supplies.
In January, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order to enforce sanctions against countries supplying fuel to Cuba. Mark Entwistle, a former Canadian ambassador to Cuba, noted that these actions aim to destabilize the Cuban economy further. He warned that the humanitarian situation would deteriorate.
Canadian Tourists Affected
With the suspension of flights by Canadian airlines, Cubans abroad face increased hardship. Luis Escalona, who lives in Winnipeg, was scheduled to visit his family in Holguin. He expressed concern over not being able to assist his mother, who requires medical attention.
- Escalona had planned to bring essential supplies for his family, including medication.
- He now faces communication challenges due to limited power and water access in Cuba.
Resilience Amid Adversity
Despite these daunting challenges, some report a semblance of normalcy in Cuba. Many businesses remain operational, adopting alternative energy sources to manage the frequent blackouts. Sean Lulker, a Toronto-based businessman living in Havana, highlighted the resilience of Cubans, noting, “There’s no palpable panic on the streets.”
However, Lulker acknowledged the difficult circumstances, emphasizing that many struggle to afford basic necessities amid ongoing shortages. “Everything is deteriorated and in very bad conditions,” Peralta lamented, capturing the sentiments of many Cubans today.
