A video shared by Yicel Tabares on Facebook captures two individuals refueling a car on the highway using a yellow container as they make their way to eastern Cuba. This scene vividly portrays the struggle faced by those attempting to travel across the island amidst the worst fuel shortage in decades.
"Forget about finding a gas station to fill up your car in Cuba; it's a mission impossible. Bring your own fuel in a jug if you're planning a long journey," warns Tabares in the video's description, which has amassed over 65,000 views.
The text overlaid on the video says it all: "Heading to the East... with emergency gasoline."
Bringing Fuel in Plastic Containers: A Necessity for Long-Distance Travel
Transporting fuel in plastic containers has become the only assurance for travelers covering the extensive distances from Havana to provinces such as Holguín, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Las Tunas, or Guantánamo.
The collapse of interprovincial transportation has further compounded the crisis. In Bayamo, interprovincial travel has been temporarily suspended, Sancti Spíritus has reduced its services to a single daily departure to Havana, and Camagüey maintains just one bus per day.
Economic Strain and Desperate Measures
In the informal market, a ticket to the east can cost between 15,000 and 30,000 Cuban pesos.
The scarcity has driven people to desperate measures. On May 29, Cubans resorted to pouring sunflower oil into a bus's tank due to the lack of diesel, illustrating one of the most extreme adaptations in this crisis.
Fuel prices have soared beyond reach for most Cubans. Since May 15, the regime scrapped the fixed price and adopted a floating system: premium gasoline B100 reached $2.60 per liter at state-run stations, sold exclusively in dollars via an official app.
In the black market, prices skyrocketed to eight dollars per liter, and by June, three liters cost 16,000 Cuban pesos informally, compared to the 700 to 1,500 pesos per liter in January.
External Supply Collapse and Political Tensions
The root of the crisis lies in the collapse of external supplies. Venezuela ceased all oil shipments to Cuba on November 15, 2025, and Mexico followed suit in early 2026, leaving the country without imports for four consecutive months.
Cuba only produces 40% of the 110,000 barrels it needs daily. Russia provided a temporary donation of 730,000 barrels, which ran out swiftly.
In April 2026, Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted that Cuba is "absolutely lacking fuel for almost everything," a confession unaccompanied by concrete solutions for the public.
In this context, on June 11, The New York Times reported that the United States blocked an energy deal that would have sent Cuba around 250,000 barrels, barely meeting a week and a half of demand, exacerbating the situation further.
The Executive Order 14380, signed by Donald Trump on January 29, 2026, imposes secondary sanctions prohibiting third countries from selling fuel to the island.
While governments negotiate and sanctions pile up, ordinary Cubans manage as best they can: with a yellow container, a hose, and the hope of reaching the East.
Understanding Cuba's Fuel Crisis
What caused the current fuel crisis in Cuba?
The crisis stems from a collapse in external fuel supplies, particularly after Venezuela and Mexico halted oil shipments to Cuba.
How are Cubans coping with the fuel shortage?
Cubans have resorted to carrying fuel in plastic containers and even using alternative substances like sunflower oil to keep vehicles running.
What are the implications of U.S. sanctions on Cuba's fuel imports?
U.S. sanctions prevent third countries from selling fuel to Cuba, worsening the fuel shortage and limiting the island's ability to meet its energy needs.