Havana's streets were empty and often dark on Thursday (February 19) as few vehicles were seen driving around the Cuban capital due to a critical energy crisis that has paralysed much of the island's transport system. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration has declared Cuba "an unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security, cutting off the flow of Venezuelan oil to the island and threatening to slap tariffs on any nation supplying Cuba with fuel. Venezuela - once Cuba's top supplier - effectively stopped sending shipments in mid-December. Mexico's government also said it was halting shipments after Washington threatened tariffs against countries that send supplies to Cuba. The White House said on Wednesday (February 18) it was in Cuba's best interest to make significant changes soon but stopped short of calling for a change in government leadership there. "They are a regime that is falling. Their country is collapsing and that's why we believe it's in their best interest to make very dramatic changes very soon," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters. She said the U.S. wanted to see flourishing and prosperous democracies all over the world, especially in the Western Hemisphere, but said she would not discuss any actions the U.S. may take to get there.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VIDEO SHOWS: HAVANA STREETS WITH LITTLE OR NO TRAFFIC / PEOPLE WALKING IN DARKNESS

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: HAVANA, CUBA (FEBRUARY 19, 2026) (REUTERS - Access All) (NIGHT SHOTS)

1. HAVANA MALECON SEAFRONT WITH LITTLE TRAFFIC

2. VARIOUS OF DARKENED GAS STATION

3. 23RD STREET IN HAVANA WITHOUT VEHICLES

4. MAN WALKING THROUGH CENTRAL HAVANA STREET

5. UNLIT "CUBA" SIGN

6. EMPTY STREETS

7. DARK HAVANA MALECON SEAFRONT

8. MAN LOOKING AT HIS PHONE IN DARKNESS

9. MALECON WITH CITY LIGHTS PARTIALLY OFF AND ON

10. PUERTO AVENUE WITHOUT CARS

11. LIT STREET WITHOUT CARS

12. HAVANA CAPITOL BUILDING

13. CAPITOL BUILDING DOME