As
of January 31, 2026, living conditions in Cuba are characterized by a severe,
deepening economic crisis, described by residents and reports as a
"survival mode". Following a further tightening of U.S. restrictions
on fuel imports in late December 2025, the country is facing acute shortages of
food, fuel, and electricity.
Key Aspects of Daily Life (Jan 2026):
Energy Crisis & Blackouts: Power outages are a daily occurrence, often lasting up to 12 hours, severely affecting daily routines and infrastructure.
Fuel and Transport Shortages: Gasoline is scarce and, when available, often requires payment in foreign currency. Public transportation is limited, leading to exorbitant prices for private taxis.
Food and Goods Shortages: The population is struggling to secure basic food supplies. Reports indicate that 7 in 10 Cubans are missing at least one meal a day.
Economic Strain: The Cuban peso has rapidly lost value, with inflation driving up the cost of living, making it impossible for many to survive on state salaries.
Healthcare and Services: The scarcity of fuel has compounded shortages of medicine and disrupted basic services.
Sociopolitical Environment:
Exodus: The ongoing crisis has led to a massive, sustained emigration wave, with hundreds of thousands of people leaving the country annually.
Suppression of Dissent: The government continues to heavily repress and punish public criticism and protests.
Survival
Strategy: While some residents are finding ways to celebrate life and
remain resilient, many describe themselves as "drowning" and holding
little hope for improvement in the near term.
The situation is being described as one of the most challenging periods since the 1990s "Special Period," with fears of a total economic collapse.
As of January 31, 2026, living conditions in Cuba are characterized by a severe humanitarian and economic crisis, described by residents as "survival mode". Recent developments, including a U.S. "stranglehold" policy and fuel blockades, have pushed the island’s infrastructure to the brink of collapse.
Current Economic & Social Conditions
Widespread Poverty: Approximately 90% of the population is estimated to live in extreme poverty, with 7 in 10 Cubans missing at least one meal per day.
Infrastructure Collapse: Daily blackouts now last up to 12 hours, even in the capital, Havana. Public transportation has largely ceased, and fuel for cooking and water pumps is scarce.
Currency & Inflation: The Cuban peso has lost over 10% of its value in the last three weeks alone. Most essential goods, including gasoline, are sold in U.S. dollars, which the average citizen cannot access.
Mass Migration: Roughly 2.7 million people (nearly a quarter of the population) have fled the country since 2020, including many young professionals.
Recent Political Tensions
U.S. National Emergency: On January 29, 2026, the U.S. declared a national emergency regarding Cuba, citing it as a host for "hostile actors" and "transnational terror groups".
Fuel Stranglehold: Following a U.S. block on Venezuelan oil deliveries in mid-December 2025, national currency sales of gasoline have stopped, leaving residents to pay premium prices or stay home.
International Reaction: Mexico has appealed to the U.S. to allow oil shipments to prevent a total humanitarian catastrophe, while Russia has condemned the recent U.S. oil tariffs as "illegitimate".
Security and Health
Low Violent Crime: Despite economic hardship, violent crime remains extremely low compared to the rest of Latin America due to strict government control and lack of firearms.
Healthcare Shortages: Shortages of medicine and specialized medical supplies continue to affect both locals and resorts.
Travel Advisory: Official advisories from countries like Canada recommend a "high degree of caution" due to chronic shortages of food, water, and electricity.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+are+living+conditions+in+cuba+on+1-31-26+google
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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