HAVANA — Taxi driver José Menenses slept in his 1952 Ford convertible along with hundreds of other drivers to save his spot in line to get an allotted 5 gallons of gas during Cuba's fuel shortage. The country is experiencing a fuel shortage that is limiting drivers to an allotment of 5 gallons of gas.

President Donald Trump imposed an oil blockade on the island of Cuba in January. The Trump administration has pressured for changes to the Cuban government's leadership and economy.

In Havana, people are ferried around by bicycle or horse-drawn cabs due to the fuel shortage. Lines were forming at a street market for basic food items like potatoes.

"This is not the first time we're in great difficulty, so we've always managed to have a Plan B," said José Menenses. He had to find a second job as a food vendor to make ends meet.

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel urged immediate economic changes earlier this month. Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Pérez-Oliva Fraga said the country is open to having a fluid commercial relationship with U.S. companies and with Cubans residing in the United States and their descendants.

The recent total blackout in Central Havana lasted a day. There are few tourists in Cuba these days.

A young mother at the street market said, "Today is market day but I can't buy since I can't afford it." On social media, barber Nelson Pérez has posted messages of protest calling for profound democratic and economic changes in Cuba.

Menenses has children who have small businesses that bring in some cash. He has a small solar generator in his house and food in his refrigerator. "I love what I do," Menenses said.

Giovanni Rafael Peleta works at an upholstery business in Central Havana. He said he welcomed help from any country, including the U.S. Nelson Pérez said there is an urgent need for change.