MIAMI — Cuba has begun suffering a dire fuel shortage as the United States cuts off the country’s oil supply.

The streets of Cuba were at a near-total blackout over the weekend.

The Cuban government unveiled a plan this week to ration fuel like it rations food since President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries shipping oil to the island.

“The fuel situation is chaotic,” a Havana resident said. “There’s no fuel. There used to be 30, 40, 50 cars here; now only four or five are working because there’s no fuel.”

Cubans are feeling the effects at the pump.

CIMEX, Cuba’s state-owned conglomerate controlling imports and exports, tourism, and banking, announced that fuel sales in Cuban pesos and diesel sales in U.S. dollars are postponed indefinitely.

As of Saturday, certain centers accepting U.S. dollars will manage a sales platform.

Gas customers were limited to five gallons each.

Mexico navigated a delicate diplomatic position between the U.S. and Cuba in recent weeks.

With the capture of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, that country’s critical oil shipments to Cuba stopped.

Mexican oil shipments became the remaining lifeline for Cuba.

Mexico’s president insists that oil is meant as humanitarian aid for Cuba in an economic crisis and will continue.

“Obviously, we do not want sanctions against Mexico, but we are in the process of dialogue and, for now, humanitarian aid will be sent,” Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

A lack of fuel also means airplanes cannot refuel in Havana.

In the meantime, pilots will have to bring in additional fuel from airports like Miami, or stop at another nearby country to refuel.

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