Cuba's Fuel Crisis Cripples Urban Life and Cultural Infrastructure Amid Economic Collapse

Havana is currently grappling with significant fuel shortages, resulting in an almost deserted Malecón boulevard and an empty Plaza de Armas. The Torre K hotel, which stands as Cuba's tallest at 42 stories, ceased operations in March after only a few months, viewed as a poor use of resources. Between 2020 and 2025, Cuba's population fell from 11 million to below 9 million amid rising emigration. In the Vedado district, electricity outages exceed eight hours each day, while rural locales receive only two to three hours of power. Restaurants such as Atelier are facing challenges with cancellations and power disruptions. Gasoline costs have soared to 6,000 pesos per liter, prompting airlines like Air Canada and Iberia to halt flights due to refueling difficulties. A Russian tanker delivered oil on March 31, and although the government intends to permit diaspora Cubans to start businesses, the details of implementation remain unclear.