A severe fuel crisis, triggered by the cessation of Venezuelan oil shipments, has plunged Cuba into widespread operational paralysis, significantly impacting daily life and essential services. According to Bahamian Ambassador Dr. Elliston Rahming, stationed in Havana since February 2022, the cutoff of diesel—the nation’s primary fuel—has created ‘tremendous’ problems, crippling electricity generation, transportation networks, and agricultural supply chains.
The ambassador reported that prolonged power outages have become commonplace, rendering backup generators useless and leaving residents, including diplomatic staff, in darkness. While gasoline is available in limited quantities, the unavailability of diesel has had a catastrophic effect, given that an estimated 70% of Cuban vehicles, including vital produce transport trucks, rely on it. This has severely hampered the distribution of food from farms to markets.
Despite the severity of the situation, Dr. Rahming described it as ‘not entirely unbearable,’ praising the remarkable resilience of the Cuban people. Schools remain open, and citizens find ways to get to work. A recent meeting with Bahamian medical students revealed their unwavering commitment to their studies, with none requesting repatriation despite challenges like storing perishable food during blackouts. The ambassador expressed hope that an expected fuel tanker arrival could soon alleviate the pressure.
Firsthand accounts from frequent visitors corroborate the official reports but paint a starker picture of social tension. Diana Saint Fleur, who spent three weeks in Cuba, witnessed the direct impact on healthcare, as her father’s surgery was postponed due to hospital fuel shortages. She described daily blackouts lasting up to eight hours, unreliable internet, and a collapsed transportation system where taxi fares soared by over 60%. The crisis has created a visible two-tier system, with tourist districts like Vedado enjoying more stable power than residential areas, prompting some to seek refuge in expensive hotels for reliable electricity.
Beyond practical hardships, the shortages have fostered a palpable atmosphere of stress and depression among residents. Bahamian entertainer Kirkland ‘KB’ Bodie, who maintains regular contact with locals, summarized the situation as ‘rough,’ noting that without fuel, garbage collection and public transportation have ground to a halt, bringing almost everything to a standstill except for emergency services.