Cuba's iconic antique cars sit idle as US energy blockade deepens fuel crisis

Cuba's fuel crisis has left its iconic almendrones largely idle, testing a car culture built on improvisation. Since January, shortages tied to the U.S. energy blockade have limited gasoline and triggered frequent blackouts. Diriel Valdez, 27, is restoring a 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe in Las Minas, waiting for fuel via a government reservation app that assigns limited quantities. Valdez said he signed up in February and remains around number 2,800 in line, with a reward of 5.3 gallons intended to cover a beach trip. Across Havana, the almendrones sit idle as power outages—sometimes up to 20 hours—hit the city. The country produces about 40% of the fuel it consumes and relies on imports to run plants and transport. Since January, sanctions have tightened supplies, with a single Russian tanker delivering oil to Cuba in that period. For owners like Valdez, the shortage threatens livelihoods, as repairs and routine maintenance depend on scarce fuel. The fuel crisis highlights how geopolitics shapes everyday mobility in Cuba.