Cuba revives the ghost of the “special period” and activates a plan of restrictions for the population

The first consequences are already being felt: restrictions on interprovincial transportation, encouragement of home office, reduction of activity in state companies and blended classes in part of the educational system. The Government seeks to prioritize essential services in a context of shortages that threaten to worsen in the coming weeks.

Despite the limitations, during the day on Friday Havana showed uneven activity. Schools, banks, bakeries, pharmacies and public offices functioned relatively normally, although The lines at gas stations stretched for several blocks.a common image in recent years of economic crisis.

On the streets, however, concern dominates.

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga explained that the Council of Ministers approved a package of measures that will take effect on Monday. These include the restriction on the sale of fuel to individuals, the reduction of rail and sea routes, the reduction of interprovincial trips and a four-day work week in state companies.

In the educational field, school days will be reorganized by territory and the blended modality will be extended in universities and technical centers. Collective activities and cultural events will also be postponed: The Havana International Book Fair was suspended until further notice.

The memory of the “special period” of the 90s flies over the island again. Prolonged blackouts, paralyzed factories and almost non-existent transportation marked that stage after the fall of the Soviet bloc, a scenario that many fear to face again.

From Washington, Trump redoubled the pressure and assured that, “without oil, Cuba will collapse”. In Havana, the official message points to resistance.

“Sacrifice again? If we don’t resist, what are we going to do?” Díaz-Canel asked, while promising new savings provisions and contingency plans.

Experts warn that if new shipments do not arrive, the island could face a severe crisis in March. So far this year, Cuba has received only one oil tanker from Mexico, with about 86,000 barrels, far from the 110,000 barrels per day it needs to sustain its energy system.

The new escalation of tension was unleashed last week, when Trump signed an executive order that threatens to impose tariffs on countries that supply fuel to Cuba, with the declared objective of pressing for a change in the political model. The measure came after the interruption of the oil flow from Venezuela, a key supplier for two decades, after the US military offensive that ended with the capture of Nicolás Maduro.

Mexico and Russia are among the few countries that still supply the island. However, Washington warned that they could also be affected by trade sanctions.

In a two-hour televised message, Díaz-Canel described the situation as an “energy blockade” and warned of its impact on all levels of daily life.

“Preventing a drop of fuel from arriving affects food transportation, hospitals, schools, economic production and tourism,” he said, visibly affected.

Cuba produces only 40% of the fuel it consumes and depends on imports to sustain its operation.