Cuba’s Economy Crumbles Under U.S. Oil Cutoff and Tourist Collapse
Updated (2 articles)
Tourism surged after 2015 diplomatic restoration, reviving classic‑car tours. Obama’s 2015 re‑establishment of U.S.–Cuba ties sparked a wave of visitors to Havana, many hiring drivers like Mandy Pruna to ride in vintage American cars; his 1957 Chevrolet even appeared in the embassy flag‑raising ceremony [1]. The influx supported a booming hospitality sector that relied heavily on foreign‑exchange earnings [1]. Classic‑car tours became a signature attraction, symbolizing the brief economic uplift [1].
U.S. oil embargo created islandwide fuel shortage and transport paralysis. The Trump administration halted oil shipments by targeting Venezuelan supplies and threatening Mexican tariffs, cutting off “hundreds of millions of dollars‑worth of fuel” to Cuba [1]. The loss of fuel crippled power generation and ground transport, leaving streets dark and vehicles idle [1]. Officials warned that without oil the Cuban economy could not function [1].
Fuel crisis forced school closures, hotel shutdowns, and airline cancellations. Energy‑saving measures suspended many classes and furloughed workers as schools shut down [1]. Near‑vacant hotels were shuttered, and airlines from Russia and Canada cancelled flights for lack of jet fuel [1]. The UK and Canada now advise against non‑essential travel to the island [1].
Food‑import disruptions drove price spikes and strained health services. Private firms importing U.S. food halted operations because power outages prevented refrigeration [1]. Vendors reported paying two‑to‑three times more for restocking, while hospitals cut services and trash accumulated on streets [1]. The shortage threatens widespread hunger among the population [1].
Classic‑car driver Mandy Pruna suspends license, weighs emigration. After two decades ferrying tourists, Pruna suspended his driving license amid fuel scarcity and tourism collapse [1]. He said “everything is uncertain… no fuel… no tourism,” and is considering moving his family to Spain [1]. His personal dilemma reflects broader social uncertainty facing many Cubans [1].
Timeline
1990s – Cubans rely heavily on firewood, charcoal and limited solar power as the island endures the “Special Period,” a self‑sufficiency push that the 2026 shortages later echo[2].
2015 – President Barack Obama restores diplomatic ties with Cuba, sparking a tourism boom that fuels classic‑car tours and makes drivers like Mandy Pruna central to Havana’s new economy[1].
2025 (approx.) – The United States attacks Venezuela and signs an executive order imposing tariffs on nations that supply oil to Cuba, heightening fears of a new oil crisis for the island[2].
Jan 2026 – Large piles of soggy garbage dominate Havana’s tourist districts; locals such as Dánica Coto scavenge for items while broken‑down trucks and a lack of spare parts worsen waste removal[2].
Jan 2026 – Fuel and spare‑part shortages cripple transportation; residents line up for gasoline and resort to makeshift outdoor fireplaces for cooking[2].
Jan 2026 – Chronic power outages plunge the city into darkness, with programmed and unprogrammed blackouts, mid‑afternoon water cuts, and offices lacking basic supplies like toilet paper[2].
Jan 2026 – Many households revert to firewood, charcoal and solar panels, and some grow their own produce, mirroring the self‑reliance of the 1990s “Special Period”[2].
Jan 2026 – U.S. officials publicly denounce Cuba’s regime: Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau declares “the Castro regime is tottering…after 67 years of a failed revolution,” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls for a “change in dynamic,” labeling Cuba backward with no functional economy[2].
Feb 18, 2026 – President Donald Trump warns “there’s no oil, there’s no money, there’s no anything,” while Secretary Rubio says the regime has lost all external subsidies and must reform as the U.S. oil cutoff cripples power and transport[1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Fuel shortages and a collapse in tourism force school closures, furlough hotel staff, shutter near‑vacant hotels and trigger flight cancellations by Russian and Canadian airlines; the UK and Canada advise against non‑essential travel[1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Food imports stall, driving prices up two‑to‑three times, prompting hospitals to cut services and causing trash to pile up across the island[1].
Feb 18, 2026 – Classic‑car driver Mandy Pruna suspends his license and says “everything is uncertain… no fuel… no tourism,” weighing emigration to Spain for his family[1].