On social media, a Cuban woman has shared a series of videos filmed in Havana, showcasing a city that appears nearly deserted, with few vehicles on the roads and long lines of people waiting for public transportation.
"Hello, is anyone alive out there?" the woman comments as she captures footage of an almost empty avenue. "This doesn't look good... I'm just leaving it here," she adds with a worried tone, as if anticipating something worse on the horizon.
Identified on Facebook as Azúcar Cuba, the user remarked that the scene reminded her of "the toughest days of COVID," when streets were immobilized due to restrictions and widespread fear.
The images reveal a capital city with just "one or two scattered cars," electric motorcycles, and a few state vehicles. In another segment, the video shows dozens of people "stranded at bus stops," waiting for a bus that never arrives.
"Everything is empty... the only things moving on the streets are the electric vehicles," she emphasizes while recording the avenue in front of the Tropical, an area where traffic usually flows continuously.
Havana's Ghost Town Appearance
The scene depicted by the Cuban woman isn't merely a personal impression; it aligns with the rapidly worsening energy situation on the island, which has severely impacted transportation, electricity production, and the daily lives of millions of Cubans.
In recent days, the country has witnessed a dramatic decrease in urban mobility, not because people don't want to go out, but simply because there is no means to do so.
More and more Cubans report that buses are vanishing, private cars aren't operating due to a lack of gasoline, and state transportation is reduced to a bare minimum, while electric motorcycles become the only option for those who can afford them.
As acknowledged by the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel, since December 2025, Cuba has stopped receiving Venezuelan oil, forcing the government to implement measures reminiscent of the Special Period of the 1990s.
The president admitted that the country is undergoing a "severe fuel shortage" and that some measures will be "restrictive," once again invoking the rhetoric of sacrifice and conservation.
Understanding Havana's Current Crisis
Why does Havana resemble a ghost town?
Havana appears deserted due to an acute energy crisis affecting transportation, with limited fuel availability leading to the absence of vehicles on the roads.
What has caused the current fuel shortage in Cuba?
Cuba is experiencing a severe fuel shortage after ceasing to receive Venezuelan oil, which has led to restrictive measures reminiscent of past economic hardships.
How are Cubans coping with transportation challenges?
Many Cubans rely on electric motorcycles as a primary means of transportation, given the scarcity of buses and cars due to fuel shortages.