Cuba’s Fuel Crisis Challenges Iconic Vintage Cars

Across Cuba, an escalating fuel crisis is impacting the famed ‘almendrones,’ vintage American cars that are crucial shared taxis and symbolic of the island’s resilience. These fuel-hungry antiques face challenges due to a fuel shortage, with many sitting idle since January. Cuban officials attribute this shortage to a U.S. energy blockade.

On January 30, 2026, in Bacuranao near Havana, drivers lined up at a gas station. Among them is Diriel Valdez, living in Las Minas, near Havana. He is restoring a 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe, but sourcing fuel remains difficult. Valdez, part of a long waiting list through a government app, sees it as a representation of the broader shortages. Waiting since February, he finds himself around 2,800 in line for just 20 liters of gasoline.

“I signed up in February … I’m still somewhere around number 2,800,” Valdez says about the lengthy wait.

The term almendrón stems from the Spanish word for almond, describing the shape of large American sedans brought to Cuba before the 1959 revolution. Over time, sanctions and limited imports forced Cuban mechanics to master improvisation. They replaced engines, rebuilt car bodies, and found parts from various sources.

Taxi driver Leonardo Daniel González navigates Havana’s streets in a purple 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster, passed down through generations. “These cars are passed down from generation to generation,” González shares, recounting his family history with these cars.

Cuba faces one of its worst energy crises, experiencing blackouts lasting up to 20 hours. Producing only 40% of its needed fuel, Cuba relies heavily on imports for power and transport. However, tightened U.S. sanctions and threats against oil-trading nations further strain fuel supply, as evidenced by a single Russian tanker delivering oil since then.

Valdez’s business and others suffer as shortages discourage major car repairs. “People don’t want to do major repairs anymore,” he remarks, noting reduced hope for normal car use.

Fuel scarcity has driven some to the black market, where prices soar to $8 per liter ($30 per gallon). Omar Everleny Pérez, a former economist, highlights the ongoing importance of almendrones. Despite new vehicles arriving in the market, they are often unaffordable, keeping classic cars operational.

Electric motorcycles from China are becoming common, along with smaller electric vehicles supported by solar-powered charging stations in Cuba’s shift toward renewable energy.

González remains optimistic about the almendrones’ future. Despite fuel challenges, he still earns a living from his old Chevrolet, using WhatsApp groups to find passengers. He acknowledges tourism’s struggles but persists with his classic car.

Ariel Fernández contributed to this report from Havana.