Cuba's Fuel Shortages Are Now Widespread

Due to a lack of fuel, Cuba resorts to animal traction to boost its agriculture and the transport of goods and people in rural areas

Daily Mail/AFP: Cuba manages to keep ploughing on in the face of US sanctions: Oxen and horses are the only option for farming and transportation in many parts of the country due to fuel shortages

  * The nation was forced to function with just 30 percent of its fuel needs in September, rising to 60 in October
  * In recent weeks, some areas have had their garbage disposal done by horse and cart to save precious fuel
  * Cuba doesn't have enough work animals, currently around 200,000, to take up the place of silenced engines

Cubans have been forced to return to using horse and oxen power for farming, travel and transport, largely due to a US blockade on fuel.

In Los Palacios, 60 miles west of the capital Havana, Heriberto Piloto bellows at his oxen 'Montezuelo' and 'Pasajero' as they plough a tobacco field at the 'La Juanita' farm.

Once the fields were ploughed by tractors, plus some animal help, but now beasts of burden are the only option, meaning the job of ploughman has made a comeback too in Cuba's fields.

Alfredo Reynoso, the director of the state company Cubaquivir, which provides services to the 12 agricultural cooperatives in Los Palacios said: 'Under normal conditions, we always used animals and... given the country's fuel restrictions, we've had to increase this activity.

Read more ....

WNU Editor: Another reminder on how incredibly poor Cuba is.