A Cuban man named Gustavo Córdova took to Instagram to share a distressing incident where thieves stole gasoline from his car in Havana. The culprits managed to extract the fuel by puncturing the vehicle's tank with a sharp object amidst the ongoing fuel crisis on the island.
"I woke up today to find my car nearly empty, leaking gasoline everywhere. This happened in Cuba, where else?" Córdova expressed in a video, showing the drilled hole in his fuel tank and the pool of gasoline on the ground.
According to Córdova, the thieves initially tried to disconnect the fuel hose but, failing in that attempt, resorted to directly piercing the tank.
"They broke the hose, couldn't get it off, so they made a hole in the tank. You can clearly see the opening, probably made with a screwdriver or some sharp object," he detailed.
The result was a double loss: the fuel that couldn't be extracted spilled over, leaving the car almost empty. Córdova cautioned fellow Cubans to take extra precautions.
"Be careful where you park, where you keep your car or motorcycles, because these petty thieves will take whatever they can," he warned.
Summing up the severity of the crisis, Córdova remarked, "With the way fuel is right now, it's like they're stealing gold. Be extremely careful, because the situation is really, really bad."
Cuba is facing its most severe fuel shortage in decades. From January to October 2025, oil imports plummeted by 35% compared to the same period in 2024, dropping from 69,400 to 45,400 barrels daily. Venezuela, the island's main supplier, also cut its oil shipments by 15% during this time.
This scarcity has driven black market fuel prices to between 4,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos per liter as of March 2026, far exceeding the average monthly salary of about 3,000 pesos.
A Cuban was reported to have paid 50,000 pesos — nearly 100 U.S. dollars at the informal exchange rate — for just 10 liters of gasoline.
Understanding the Fuel Crisis in Cuba
What caused the fuel shortage in Cuba?
The fuel shortage in Cuba is primarily due to a 35% drop in oil imports from January to October 2025 compared to the previous year, exacerbated by a 15% reduction in oil shipments from Venezuela, Cuba's main supplier.
How has the fuel crisis affected prices?
The scarcity has led to black market prices for fuel reaching between 4,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos per liter, which is significantly higher than the average monthly salary of about 3,000 pesos.
What precautions are being advised amid the crisis?
Cubans are being advised to be vigilant about where they park and store their vehicles, as theft of gasoline is on the rise due to the high value of fuel.