Cubans Face Daily Hardship as US Oil Blockade Strangles Economy

Four months of a US-enforced oil blockade have left Cuba in a state of deepening crisis, with empty gas stations, rolling power outages, and a collapsing tourism sector. Residents report life has shifted from routine maintenance to a desperate struggle for basic utilities and affordable fuel.

In Havana, the consequences of the blockade are visible in dark apartment buildings and abandoned vehicles. One local doctor, who spent four days without electricity, noted that the power failure creates a cascade of secondary issues, including water shortages and a spike in mosquito infestations. For those who still need to travel, the state-run fuel system has been replaced by a volatile black market. Martha Pérez, a resident, described paying US$29 for a bottle of gas that once cost mere cents.

Local businesses are buckling under the pressure. Diriel Valdez, an auto shop owner, said customers have stopped seeking repairs, opting instead to leave their cars parked indefinitely. The economic strain has also forced international firms to retreat. Hotel giants Iberostar and Meliá are surrendering management of at least a dozen properties each, while Canadian operator Royalton Hotels & Resorts has ceased operations entirely as the island's tourism industry withers.