Cuba is grappling with a deepening fuel crisis, threatening the operation of the island’s emblematic vintage cars, known locally as ‘almendrones.’ These classic American vehicles, crucial as shared taxis, showcase Cuban creativity and resilience.

Currently, many of these fuel-thirsty antiques sit idle due to fuel shortages ongoing since January. The Cuban government attributes these to a U.S. energy blockade. Lines at gas stations are long, with drivers like those in Bacuranao near Havana waiting extensively for fuel.

Diriel Valdez, living in Las Minas, a town near Havana, works on restoring a 1951 Chevrolet Deluxe. While he maintains the car’s burgundy body and original engine, acquiring fuel is his main challenge. Valdez, like many others, waits for a turn in a government-operated fuel reservation app. He’s been in line since February and is still far from obtaining fuel.

I signed up in February … I’m still somewhere around number 2,800, Valdez said. The fuel reward waiting at the end of this queue is just 20 liters, barely enough for a single trip to the beach.

History of Almendrones

The term ‘almendrón’ finds its origin from the Spanish word for almond, reflecting the bulbous structure of these pre-1959 American sedans. For decades, limited resources forced Cuban mechanics to adapt ingeniously, swapping engines, rebuilding bodies, and scrounging replacement parts from unlikely sources. These mechanical gems endure, passed down through family generations.

Taxis like Leonardo Daniel González’s friend’s 1948 Chevrolet Fleetmaster are a testament to this. Amid blackouts, González navigates Havana, keeping alive a legacy handed through generations from his great-grandfather.

Fuel Shortages and Blockades

Cuba is facing one of its toughest energy challenges in years. The country partially produces its fuel needs, relying significantly on imports, a scenario worsened by recent U.S. sanctions under the Trump administration. These measures included tariffs on nations dealing in oil with Cuba, limiting the island’s capacity to secure fuel. Valdez shares how the scarcity impacts his vehicle repair business, with many owners hesitant about major repairs.

People don’t want to do major repairs anymore, he noted. Cars remain parked due to lack of optimism for regular usage.

Electric Vehicles and New Challenges

As fuel becomes scarce, drivers turn to the black market despite prices reaching $8 per liter. Economist Omar Everleny Pérez noted that almendrones remain crucial to Cuban transportation, as newer vehicles are inaccessible for most citizens. Even as these classic cars continue to serve, modern alternatives are emerging. Electric motorcycles and small vehicles, facilitated by a growing number of solar charging stations, present a new option.

Meanwhile, González perseveres with his Chevrolet despite fuel shortages and declining tourism, maintaining connections through various drivers’ networks.