By Dave Sherwood
HAVANA, Feb 6 (Reuters) – Cuba detailed a broad plan on Friday to protect essential services and fuel rations as the Communist-run government dug in its heels in defiance of a U.S. effort to cut off oil supplies to the Caribbean island.
The rationing measures are the first to be announced since President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on the US-linked products of any country that exports fuel to Cuba and suggested hard times ahead for Cubans who are already suffering serious shortages of food, fuel and medicine.
Government ministers said the measures guarantee fuel supply for key sectors, including agricultural production, education, water supply, healthcare and defence.
Trade Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva struck a defiant tone as he presented the details of the government’s plan.
“This is an opportunity and a challenge that we have no doubt we will overcome,” Perez-Oliva told a television news program. “We’re not going to collapse.”
The government will provide fuel to the tourism and export sectors, including for the production of Cuba’s world-famous cigars, to ensure the foreign exchange needed to finance other basic programs, Perez-Oliva said, adding, “If we don’t have income, then we will not overcome this situation.”
Domestic and international air travel will not be immediately affected by fuel rationing, although drivers will see a reduction at the pump until supply normalizes, he said.
The government said it would protect ports and secure fuel for domestic transport in an effort to protect the island country’s import and export sectors.
Perez-Oliva also announced an ambitious plan to plant 200,000 hectares (500,000 acres) of rice to guarantee “an important part of our demand,” but recognized fuel shortages push the country to rely more on renewable energy for irrigation needs and animal power for the fields.
The Minister of Education Naima Ariatne, who appears on the same program, said that the centers for the care of babies and primary schools will remain open and in person, but secondary schools and higher education will implement a hybrid system that will require more “flexibility” and will vary according to the institution and the region.
“As a priority, we want to leave (open) our primary schools,” said Ariatne.
Top officials said health care would also be prioritized, with special emphasis on emergency services, maternity wards and cancer programs.
(Reporting by Dave Sherwood; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien and William Mallard)