Cuba Announces Fuel Rationing, Remote Work & University Changes Amid Crisis

Cuba is bracing for a severe economic contraction as a deepening fuel shortage forces the government to implement emergency measures, including rationing, curtailed administrative workweeks, and adjustments to education and transportation. The crisis, stemming from a combination of internal challenges and external pressures, particularly from the United States, is evoking memories of the island’s “Special Period” following the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

The Cuban government announced the measures on February 5th, citing insufficient fuel supplies to maintain current levels of activity. Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga stated the priority will be to guarantee “the vitality of our country and essential services,” focusing on sectors that generate foreign revenue, such as tourism. Essential administrative activities will be limited to Monday through Thursday in an effort to conserve energy. Universities will transition to a hybrid model of instruction, and train routes will operate on a significantly reduced schedule – every eight days per destination, according to Transportation Minister Eduardo Rodríguez.

The fuel scarcity is not solely a logistical issue. it’s deeply intertwined with geopolitical tensions. President Miguel Díaz-Canel has publicly blamed the United States for the crisis, accusing Washington of “economic strangulation” and describing the U.S. Stance as “aggressive and criminal.” The situation escalated last week following threats from the U.S. To impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba, effectively disrupting existing fuel deliveries. Díaz-Canel indicated Cuba is prepared to engage in dialogue with the U.S., but without preconditions.

The immediate impact is already being felt by ordinary Cubans. Taxi drivers, like Andy in Havana, are spending upwards of 12 to 15 hours – and in some cases 26 hours – waiting in line to purchase a strictly limited 40 liters of gasoline, payable only in dollars. Widespread blackouts are plaguing the island, with half of Havana experiencing power outages at the time of Díaz-Canel’s televised address on February 6th. The government is also exploring options to facilitate fuel imports by private companies and distribute solar panels to essential workers and institutions.

The current crisis builds on existing economic vulnerabilities. Cuba has been grappling with a severe economic downturn for six years, exacerbated by obsolete infrastructure and a lack of foreign exchange to import necessary goods, including fuel. The island’s aging thermoelectric plants are frequently breaking down, further compounding the energy deficit. Prior to the recent disruptions, Venezuela had been a crucial supplier of oil to Cuba, providing approximately 30,000 barrels per day in 2025, but that supply has been curtailed. Cuba currently produces around 1,000 megawatts of electricity from solar panels, installed with Chinese support over the past two years, and is seeking to increase its crude oil extraction and storage capacity to bolster self-sufficiency.

The government is drawing parallels to the “Period Especial,” a decade of austerity following the Soviet Union’s demise. Díaz-Canel invoked the concept of the “option zero” plan – a strategy of extreme rationing, reliance on animal traction, and localized food production – as a potential framework for navigating the current hardship. The government intends to “potentiate” agricultural development in urban areas and homes to mitigate the impact of fuel shortages on food production.

Experts warn the situation could worsen significantly if fuel supplies are not replenished. Jorge Piñón, a specialist at the University of Texas’s Institute of Energy, estimated that without new oil shipments, Cuba could face a “grave crisis” by March. So far this year, Cuba has received only one tanker carrying approximately 86,000 barrels of crude oil from Mexico.

The unfolding crisis presents a significant challenge to the Cuban government and its ability to maintain social stability. The measures announced represent a desperate attempt to conserve dwindling resources and prioritize essential services. However, the long-term economic consequences remain uncertain, and the island’s reliance on external factors – particularly the relationship with the United States – underscores its vulnerability.

The situation also highlights the broader implications of geopolitical pressures on energy security, particularly for nations dependent on imported fuel. Cuba’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the potential for economic disruption when access to vital resources is threatened by political considerations.