Cubans facing worsening shortages and blackouts say years of hardship and unrealized expectations have left them skeptical that renewed U.S. pressure will bring meaningful change, according to a new sprawling report by El País.
"If you think about change... we've been disappointed too many times," a young Havana resident told the outlet, capturing a sentiment echoed by others navigating daily disruptions across the island.
In recent weeks, Washington has threatened tariffs on countries supplying fuel to Cuba, a move Havana calls an "energy siege." Residents describe immediate effects: long waits for transportation, rising food prices and limited access to medicine. A 20-year-old commuter told El País that older people tell her conditions now are unprecedented. "If whatever comes next is even 5% better, that's something," she said.
Fuel scarcity has reduced traffic and slowed public life with workers reporting rationed gasoline and commutes lasting hours. "I feel like this is the end of the movie," said one worker. "The country is at a standstill." A mother described daily power outages: "We go to bed without electricity and wake up without electricity," adding she could not find milk for her child.
Tourism, a key source of foreign currency, has also been affected. Some hotels are consolidating guests because of fuel shortages, while others remain largely empty. A hotel employee said wages equivalent to roughly $9 or $10 a month plus tips no longer cover basic expenses. "We go home with less pay, and it's not enough for anything," she said.
Despite frustration with domestic conditions, many residents say they want gradual change rather than instability. "The people want it to be peaceful," said a musician in Havana, referring to political or economic reform.
At the United Nations Human Rights Council on Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned U.S. measures and said Cuba would "defend with vigor and courage its right to self-determination," while also expressing willingness to pursue dialogue based on "mutual respect" and "no preconditions."
Rodríguez also acknowledged the current situation will bring "privations and suffering" but said authorities are seeking "creative solutions" to mitigate the impact.
In the meantime, President Donald Trump said "we could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba" as amid reports that his administration is having talks with the grandson of Raul Castro about the future of the beleaguered Caribbean island.
Speaking to press at the White House lawn, Trump said that "the Cuban government is talking with us."
"They're in a big deal of trouble. They have no money. They have nothing right now. But they're talking with us. Maybe we'll have a friendly takeover of Cuba. We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba," Trump added.
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