Waste piles up in Cuba as US-imposed fuel blockade halts collection trucks

Al JazeeraEN 2 min read 100% complete by Al Jazeera StaffFebruary 17, 2026 at 06:18 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Due to a US-imposed fuel blockade, waste is accumulating in Havana and other Cuban cities as of February 2026. The fuel shortage has significantly reduced the number of operational garbage trucks, with only 44 of Havana's 106 trucks running. Residents are raising concerns about the public health risks associated with the uncollected refuse. The crisis stems from the US cutting off Cuba's oil supply following a military raid in Venezuela. President Trump has described Cuba as a "failed nation" and increased economic pressure by sanctioning countries that supply oil to the island.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Marco Rubio 40% Cubadebate 40% Jose Ramon Cruz ×240% Reuters ×350% Nicolás Maduro (Maduro) 50% Venezuela ×260% Havana ×480% Donald Trump ×390% Cuba ×8100% United States ×6100%

Keywords

us fuel blockade 80% cuba waste crisis 70% fuel shortages 60% cuban economy 50% us-cuba relations 50% humanitarian crisis 40% trump administration 40%