Cuban Drivers Confront Months-Long Delays for Gasoline Through Government App
Cuban motorists are facing waits extending several months to refuel their vehicles, as severe fuel shortages tighten their grip on the island nation. In response to chaotic scenes at petrol stations, the Cuban government has mandated the use of a digital application named 'Ticket' for booking refuelling appointments. However, drivers in Havana report that the app is only offering slots weeks or even months into the future, highlighting the deepening crisis.
Appointment Backlogs and System Limitations
The 'Ticket' app, operated by state-owned software firm XETID, restricts drivers to signing up for appointments at only one gas station at a time. This limitation has led to massive backlogs, with some users discovering they are thousands of places in line. Jorge Reyes, a 65-year-old retiree, downloaded the app on Monday and found himself with appointment number seven thousand and something at a Havana station allocating just 50 slots daily. "When will I be able to buy gas again?" he lamented, capturing the frustration of many.
In an attempt to navigate the system, drivers are turning to WhatsApp groups to share information on which stations might be less crowded or have higher daily capacities, with some locations awarding up to 90 appointments. Yet, this offers little solace to those facing queues of up to 10,000 people ahead of them.
Economic Strain and Black Market Surge
Compounding the issue, the Cuban government has ceased selling subsidised gasoline in local currency, previously priced at about 25 cents per litre. Now, fuel is only available in U.S. dollars, with a litre costing $1.30 at official stations and soaring to as much as six dollars on the burgeoning black market. Given that government workers earn less than $20 monthly when converted to U.S. dollars at market rates, these prices place an immense burden on ordinary citizens.
When drivers finally secure an appointment, they are limited to purchasing just 20 litres of gasoline, approximately 5.2 gallons. Ariel Alonso, a businessman who refuelled on Monday, expressed concern: "This will not last me long. I have to leave a reserve of five litres in case anyone gets sick at home and needs to be taken to the hospital."
Broader Context of Fuel and Energy Crises
The fuel shortages are part of a wider energy crisis in Cuba, with blackouts intensifying as the nation struggles to import oil for power plants and refineries. The situation has been exacerbated by recent geopolitical developments. In late January, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs on any nation selling oil to Cuba, escalating efforts to pressure the communist government into economic and political reforms.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has accused the U.S. of imposing an "energy blockade" but stated willingness to negotiate "as equals" without compromising sovereignty. Meanwhile, key oil suppliers have cut off shipments: Venezuela halted crude sales after the U.S. captured former President Nicolás Maduro, and Mexico ceased deliveries following Trump's tariff threat.
Impacts on Tourism and Daily Life
Vehicles used in Cuba's tourism industry, identifiable by special license plates, are exempt from the app system and can refuel at 44 designated stations, though long lines persist there as well. Even these vehicles are subject to the 20-litre purchase limit. The broader economic fallout includes reduced banking hours to save electricity, cancelled flights by Canadian airlines due to fuel unavailability, and postponements of events like a book fair and cigar trade fair to conserve resources.
Last week, United Nations human rights experts condemned the U.S. oil siege, calling it a unilateral act "incompatible with international law." As Cuba grapples with these multifaceted challenges, the 'Ticket' app, originally launched three years ago for notary and local-currency fuel appointments, has become almost the sole legal avenue for refuelling—pushing many toward the black market in desperation.
