Cuba Oil Crisis
By: Cecilia Fountain
The lines for gas stations in Havana Cuba, have been growing exponentially in the last few weeks. Residents say that they have to wait up to 12 hours to fill up their cars. The reason behind this, Cuba is running out of oil.
It started in 1960 when the U.S. imposed an embargo (an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country) on Cuba. This stemmed from historical events like the Cuban revolution, which nationalized (the transfer of a major branch of industry or commerce from private to state ownership or control) a lot of U.S. owned property into Cuban control. Also, the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, which was when Soviet Missile and missile bases were found on Cuban ground, leading to a cold war with the U.S.), intensified political differences.
This embargo has blocked Cuba from trade with almost every country. Resulting in shortage in food, medical supplies, and fuel. Making it very difficult to create a healthy economy that can export goods.
However, during the year 2000 Cuba started to trade with Venezuela, particularly oil. This helped Cuba stay afloat because with a steady supply of oil it was easier to power infrastructure and work. This helped boost the country’s ability to produce and export to countries like China and Spain that did not concern themselves with the U.S. embargo.
Recently the U.S. executed a major military operation where they captured President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores of Venezuela. Turning the political power into the hands of the U.S. government, with this they evidently took control of the oil production and exportation.
As a result the U.S. now determines who gets Venezuelan oil. And since the U.S isn’t the friendliest with Cuba we have cut them off, leaving Cuba with no real oil supply. This is forcing them to use what little reserve they have. And to further restrict Cuba, President Trump has announced that he will impose a strict tariff on anyone who tries to sell or supply Cuba with oil.
As of late January and early February Cuba has enough oil to last them 15 to 20 more days. After that it is unclear what next steps will be taken. If Cuba completely runs out of oil then it will be seen as a humanitarian crisis. If it comes to that, Cuba could ask for humanitarian aid like food and medical supplies. But the U.S. sway may leave Cuba helpless.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/trump-us-starting-talk-cuba-moves-cut-oil-129746122
https://mises.org/mises-wire/brief-history-enduring-american-embargo-against-cuba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Cuba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_embargo_against_Cuba#:~:text=The%20Cuban%20Revolution%20led%20to,exceptions%20for%20food%20and%20medicine.
https://english.elpais.com/international/2026-02-02/trumps-oil-tariff-push-deepens-cubas-agony-im-just-doing-my-best-to-survive.html
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/01/cuba-fuel-shortage-trump-tariffs#:~:text=Jorge%20Pi%C3%B1%C3%B3n%2C%20an%20energy%20expert,%2C%20water%20distribution%20and%20sugarcane.%E2%80%9D