Cubans struggle to survive as pressure turns on country’s long-standing ration book

NewsWorldAmericasCubans struggle to survive as pressure turns on country’s long-standing ration bookMany Cubans who lived through the ‘Special Period’, when Soviet aid plummeted in the 1990s, say the current situation is worseDnica Coto Sunday 03 May 2026 08:01 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2969612To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/cuban-ration-book-food-shortage-b2969635.html","title":"Cubans struggle to survive as pressure turns on country’s long-standing ration book"}}open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-7472","index":0}Vendors wait for customers at a weekly food fair in Alamar, Havana province, Cuba, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) (AP)The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"re...