HAVANA – Cuba is bracing for economic hardship reminiscent of the “Special Period” of the 1990s, following the implementation of emergency measures by the Castro regime to address a severe energy crisis exacerbated by fuel shortages. The measures, announced in recent days, signal a return to the austerity experienced after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a period many Cubans believed they would never revisit.
The current crisis stems from a confluence of factors, including a fire at the Havana refinery and a significant reduction in fuel assistance from key allies. For decades, Cuba relied heavily on subsidized oil from the Soviet Union, and later, from Venezuela under Hugo Chávez. According to web search results, Chávez’s support, which exceeded 100,000 barrels of oil per day, allowed Cuba to resell excess fuel for much-needed foreign currency, supplementing income from remittances, medical missions, and tourism.
The decline in Venezuelan aid began as Venezuela’s own economic situation deteriorated. The death of Chávez in March 2013, as noted in web search results, marked a turning point. While Mexico attempted to partially fill the gap, providing approximately 12,000 barrels per day, those supplies are now also threatened by potential U.S. Sanctions. Moscow also provided some assistance, but has reportedly become hesitant to continue due to the threat of U.S. Tariffs on its products, as warned by former President Trump.
The Cuban government’s response includes restricting gasoline sales to U.S. Dollars through a platform with individual limits, and eliminating diesel fuel sales in U.S. Dollars altogether. This move immediately impacted transportation in Havana, mirroring the conditions described in the satirical film “Lista de Espera” (Waiting List), which depicted the hardships of the 1990s. The school calendar will also be shortened, and public sector workers will move to a four-day function week to conserve energy.
The measures are expected to disproportionately affect ordinary Cubans, who already face widespread shortages, frequent power outages – up to 48 hours in some areas – and high inflation. U.S. Ambassador to Cuba, Mike Hammer, recently completed a tour of the island, meeting with social leaders and citizens, while the Cuban government staged protests against his presence, according to reports. The U.S. State Department has condemned the protests against Hammer.
The tourism sector, a crucial source of revenue for Cuba, is also suffering. Several hotels in Varadero and the northern cays have closed, forcing the relocation of tourists. In 2018, Cuba welcomed nearly 5 million tourists; in 2023, that number fell to just 1.8 million, impacted by the economic crisis and outbreaks of dengue and chikungunya fever. The government has also announced it will no longer provide fuel for international airlines to refuel in Cuba, echoing the practices employed during the original “Special Period” when airlines were forced to make refueling stops in neighboring countries.
Anna Bensi, a Cuban influencer with a significant online following, described the situation as dire, stating, “If you ask a Cuban where they seek to live, they will answer anywhere that has electricity, a job that covers their needs, a place where there is food… These are basic things that the country has not been able to sustain.”
The Cuban government has responded to the growing discontent with increased repression, fearing a repeat of the July 11, 2021 protests. Human rights activists Kamil Zayas and Ernesto Ricardo Medina, founders of the independent media project El 4tico, have been detained and face up to nine years in prison on charges of propaganda aimed at altering the constitutional order.
As of February 15, 2026, the Cuban government has not announced any new diplomatic initiatives to secure alternative fuel supplies, and the U.S. Maintains its embargo policies.
