No food, no fuel, no tourists: Under US pressure, life in Cuba grinds to a halt
5 hours ago
- #Cuba Crisis
- #US Sanctions
- #Economic Collapse
- Mandy Pruna recalls the tourism boom in Cuba after Obama restored US-Cuba relations in 2015, with celebrities like Will Smith and Rihanna taking classic car tours.
- Cuba is now facing severe economic uncertainty due to US sanctions, leading to fuel shortages and a collapse in tourism.
- The Trump administration cut off oil supplies to Cuba, aiming to force political and economic reforms on the communist-run island.
- Fuel shortages have led to school closures, worker furloughs, and canceled flights, with hotels and businesses shutting down.
- The annual Habanos cigar festival was canceled, and Sherrit International paused mining operations in Cuba due to the crisis.
- Hospitals have reduced services, and trash piles up due to a lack of fuel and functioning dump trucks.
- Power cuts are frequent, leaving Havana in darkness at night, with residents discussing survival strategies.
- US officials, including Marco Rubio, demand Cuba open its economy, while Cuban-American politicians push for a total aid cutoff.
- Cuba relies heavily on imported food, but supply chains are breaking down, worsening shortages.
- President Miguel Diaz-Canel urges Cubans to 'resist creatively' and adopt a wartime mentality amid the crisis.
- Classic car driver Mandy Pruna considers emigrating to Spain as tourism collapses, leaving no future in Cuba.