Cuba is facing one of the most severe economic crises in its recent history as fuel shortages and a sharp decline in tourism paralyze daily life across the island.
In Havana, classic car driver Mandy Pruna recalls the boom years that followed the 2015 restoration of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba under former US President Barack Obama. During that period, American visitors flocked to the island, boosting private businesses and tourism operators. Pruna’s vintage Chevrolet was frequently hired by tourists and celebrities for city tours, symbolizing a brief era of renewed optimism.
Today, that optimism has faded. Under the administration of Donald Trump, tighter measures and regional geopolitical tensions have further strained Cuba’s fragile economy. Fuel supplies have dwindled dramatically, disrupting transportation, electricity generation and key industries. Hotels have shuttered, flights from key markets have been reduced and schools and workplaces have scaled back operations to conserve energy.
Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel has urged citizens to adopt what he described as a wartime mentality, encouraging local food production and resilience in the face of mounting shortages. However, many residents report worsening conditions, including prolonged blackouts and rising food prices in local markets.
The United States government maintains that significant political and economic reforms are necessary, while some Cuban American lawmakers have called for even stricter measures. Meanwhile, the humanitarian implications are becoming increasingly apparent as imports of food and fuel face new obstacles.
For entrepreneurs like Pruna, the twin blow of fuel scarcity and dwindling tourism has been devastating. After two decades in the business, he has suspended his license as a classic car driver and is considering emigrating in search of stability.
As uncertainty grows, many Cubans fear that without relief or reform, the island’s economic challenges could intensify in the months ahead.
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