On Friday, images depicting an extensive queue at the Zapata and 2 service station in Havana, where people were attempting to purchase fuel, spread rapidly across social media platforms.
Daniel Benítez shared on Facebook, "THIS IS WHAT FUEL LINES LOOK LIKE IN CUBA, IF YOU'RE LUCKY. Images arriving straight from Havana at Zapata and 4 for 'buying gasoline with dollars.' Meanwhile, the regime claims everything is normal, as they have 'normalized' the misery."
The photos reveal a seemingly endless line of parked cars stretching block after block.
Journalist Mario J. Pentón also posted a video showcasing what appears to be an infinite line.
Despite CUPET, the state oil company, recently dismissing rumors of a halted fuel supply, the queues for purchasing gasoline in dollars surged again on Friday in Havana and other provinces across Cuba.
Numerous videos shared online display vehicles queuing for hours outside service stations, particularly in the capital city.
Cubanet highlighted recent footage of fuel lines in eastern cities like Holguín, where waiting times can exceed several hours.
The escalation in queues coincides with ongoing distribution issues and a lack of transparency regarding actual reserve levels.
While CUPET maintains that fuel supplies remain stable, many drivers report gasoline shortages, even at foreign currency-operated sales points where fuel is priced in U.S. dollars or euros.
This situation is causing frustration and has led to informal fuel resale at increasingly steep prices.
The state-run company insists that reports of a complete supply halt are untrue; however, the noticeable increase in lines contradicts the official narrative.
On social media, numerous users express skepticism about the denial and highlight that while the government refutes the crisis, the street-level reality tells a different story.
Understanding Cuba's Fuel Crisis
Why are fuel lines so long in Cuba?
Fuel lines in Cuba are lengthy due to ongoing distribution problems and a lack of transparency about fuel reserves, compounded by the economic challenges facing the country.
What is CUPET's stance on the fuel supply issue?
CUPET, the state oil company, asserts that fuel supplies are stable and dismisses rumors of a supply halt, although the reality on the ground suggests otherwise.
How are people coping with fuel shortages in Cuba?
Many Cubans resort to informal fuel resale at high prices due to the shortages, as well as enduring long waits in queues at service stations.