Cubans scramble to survive as US vise on island tightens in push to oust government

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(30 Jan 2026) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Havana, Cuba - 28 January 2026 1.⁠ ⁠People walking on the street 2. Man buying produce from street stall 3. Cars passing on street, street art on the wall reading (Spanish): “Cuba 2024” 4.⁠ ⁠Various of farmers harvesting vegetables 5.⁠ ⁠Farmer José Ángel Méndez pushing his motorbike 6.⁠ ⁠SOUNDBITE (Spanish) José Ángel Méndez, farmer: “Being self-sufficient means doing things for yourself and moving forward for yourself.” 7.⁠ ⁠Various of Méndez and farmers picking up bananas 8.⁠ ⁠SOUNDBITE (Spanish) José Ángel Méndez, farmer: “I’ll buy the horse again because the fuel is very scarce, and we won't have a way to get around if things continue like this.” 9.⁠ ⁠Méndez riding a motorbike loaded with bananas ASSOCIATED PRESS Havana, Cuba - 29 January 2026 10.⁠ ⁠Solar panels on Félix José Morfi’s roof 11.⁠ ⁠Solar heater on Morfi’s roof 12.⁠ ⁠Various of Morfi feeding his fish 13.⁠ ⁠SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Félix José Morfi, retired entrepreneur: “I know what is coming. I do know it. What is coming is more rigor, more needs, and more problems. So what we have to do is prepare for that war. This is a war, the war of all the people to get food, oil, kerosene, and everything.” 14.⁠ ⁠Morfi watching hens at his yard 15. Bees in Morfi's yard 16. Pig 17.⁠ ⁠SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Félix José Morfi, retired entrepreneur: “I am convinced that they (the Americans) will come.” REPORTER: “Are they coming?. There are a lot of people who think they won't.” MORFI: “They have to come now because they’ve announced it so much. If they don’t come, they will be ridiculed. And when they come here, we’re going to kick them out.” 18.⁠ ⁠Various of cars waiting in line at gas station 19.⁠ ⁠SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Pedro Carbonell, retired pilot: “It's difficult without oil, but I am confident that the Cuban people are heroic, and we will move forward, and we will succeed. There is no doubt about that. Mr Trump and Mr. Marco Rubio, those who are going to die, salute you.” 20.⁠ ⁠Cars waiting in line at gas station STORYLINE: Cubans are hustling to become more self-sufficient as the U.S. government tightens its economic noose over the communist island in a move experts say is meant to force a popular uprising and usher in a new government. A sharp increase in U.S. sanctions was already suffocating Cubans when critical oil shipments from Venezuela were disrupted after the U.S. attacked the South American country and arrested its leader. The long-term repercussions of those halted shipments have yet to hit Cuba, but its people are not waiting. Some are installing solar panels while others are growing their own crops or returning to a simpler way of life, one that doesn’t rely on technology or petroleum. “It’s how you survive,” said José Ángel Méndez Faviel. “It’s best to depend on yourself.” Méndez recently moved from the center of Havana to a farm in the rural community of Bacuranao because of Cuba’s severe blackouts. At the farm, he can cook with firewood and charcoal, something unthinkable in a darkened city apartment. Méndez said he doesn’t know what to make of U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats against Cuba, but he’s not taking any chances. He’s stocking up on gasoline, charcoal, and produce, which he began planting three months ago at his farm. Méndez is also thinking of buying back the old horse that he sold in favor of motorized equipment to transport the vegetables he sells at local markets. “You don’t need fuel for a horse,” he said. “We need to go back in time. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives ​​ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/46446f6ca7544fdfb5d110ff8902cb21