Fuel crisis paralyzes services and worsens health risk in Cuba

Cuba.- The accumulation of garbage in the streets and avenues of Havana reflects the visible impact of the deep energy crisis the country is going through. The fuel shortage has largely paralyzed waste collection, generating pollution hotspots and raising the health risk for millions of people. In different neighborhoods of Havana, piles of waste, plastic bags, food scraps, cardboard, and bottles, are piled up on corners and overflowing containers. Neighbors report that the garbage trucks are delayed by several days or simply do not circulate. According to official reports, only 44 of the 106 collection trucks are in operation, a figure insufficient to serve a city with more than two million inhabitants. The lack of fuel and spare parts has limited the operability of the urban cleaning system. The Cuban government has imposed strict fuel rationing, prioritizing hospitals and strategic sectors. Gasoline sales are controlled through the digital platform “Ticket”, which assigns turns to purchase up to 20 liters per vehicle. However, the system’s saturation has led to long waiting lists. Drivers report delays of weeks to get an appointment, while the informal market offers fuel at prices that far exceed the average monthly salary. Furthermore, sales in the national currency have been suspended in several locations, forcing payment in foreign currency amid widespread shortages.

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The energy crisis has affected not only garbage collection, but also public transportation, which operates with reduced schedules, as well as work, school, and cultural activities. Some international airlines have limited operations due to difficulties in refueling at Cuban airports. The immediate origin of the problem is linked to the decrease in oil shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, the island’s main suppliers. The reductions occur in a context of increased pressure and sanctions driven by the United States, which have complicated the logistics and financing of energy imports. Increasing health risk Specialists warn that the prolonged accumulation of waste favors the proliferation of insects and rodents, increasing the risk of diseases in a country that already faces shortages of food, medicine, and basic services. Meanwhile, residents in different provinces report scenes similar to those in the capital. Faced with the emergency, some citizens search through reusable or recyclable waste materials to sell and obtain additional income. Authorities acknowledge that there are no immediate solutions. With limited public services and unstable energy supply, the environmental and health crisis threatens to worsen in the coming weeks if the fuel flow is not restored or alternative waste management measures are implemented. The situation keeps the population on alert, facing one of the most critical moments in terms of basic services in recent decades.