Meet the 2 loves of Prince's life, plus more you may not know about him

Looking back at Prince's four-decade career, it's clear that when he signed his record deal with Warner Bros. at just 18 years old, he was destined to lead an influential trajectory. From a young age, Prince Rogers Nelson, better known mononymously as Prince, was certain of his talents. And once he hit the stage, so was the rest of the world.

Prince: The life story you may not know

His commitment, liberation, and vision came through in his Minneapolis Sound—a genre blending a sonically experimental mix of funk, synth-pop, and wailing electronic guitar riffs—which positioned him to become one of music's most respected and recognizable artists. Throughout his career, he challenged how he presented himself to the world, whether that be with his androgynous style or his artistry that knew no bounds.

He always strived for originality in his work, which was evident in his acting, writing, and production. His influence went beyond music. The prolific musician and producer's sharp-eyed outlook on life and creative independence made him one of the most iconic visionary geniuses of his time. He even directed, scored, and starred in a concert film in 1987, "Sign O' the Times." The moviescreened in IMAX theatersworldwide for a limited run in August 2025.

The legendary artist was in the public eye for nearly four decades until his 2016 death at just 57 years old, leaving us with much to learn about his life. Here,Stackercompiled a list of 25 things about Prince you may not know, researched via memoir accounts, newspaper articles, archives, and official documents.

1958: Born in Minneapolis

Prince Rogers Nelson, better known mononymously as Prince, was born on June 7, 1958, in Minneapolis. His father, John L. Nelson, was a jazz pianist in the Prince Rogers Trio, and his mother, Mattie Shaw, performed in the band as a singer. It was the band's name that inspired Prince's.

1977: Signs to Warner Bros. for debut album

In 1977, Princesignedto Warner Bros. Records at 18 years old. The next year, Prince released his debut album, "For You." He is credited with writing and performing everything himself. The album peaked at #163 on theBillboard 200. After a long public dispute and split in 1996, he would laterre-signwith the label in 2014 and obtain ownership of his classic catalog.

1983: Recording at First Avenue

In 1983, Prince and the Revolution recorded portions of the "Purple Rain" soundtrack live on stage atFirst Avenuenightclub in Minneapolis. The infamous recording occurred during a benefit concert for theMinnesota Dance Theatre.

1984: 'Purple Rain'

In 1984, the film "Purple Rain," directed by Albert Magnoli and based on the Prince and the Revolution album of the same name, became a box-office hit. Prince played a loosely based character of himself in the cult musical drama. He also worked with ​​costume designers Louis Wells and Marie France to create hisiconic androgynous looksin the movie.

1984: 'The Glamorous Life'

Prince co-produced drummer and collaborator Sheila E.'s 1984 debut album, "The Glamorous Life." The entire album was recorded in a week at Sunset Sound in Los Angeles.

1985: Oscar win

Prince's hit song "Purple Rain" won an Oscar for Best Original Song Score at the 1985 ceremony, making him thefirst and lastBlack person to win the award. The category was retired the next year. In hisOscar speech, Prince told the audience: "This is very unbelievable. I could never imagine this in my wildest dreams."

1985: Paisley Park

In 1985, Prince commissioned architect Bret Thoeny to build Paisley Park—an artist compound located 22 miles outside of Minneapolis. In a2016 interview, Thoeny told Billboard that the 55,000-square-foot creative complex was the first of its kind. It had two state-of-the-art recording studios, a 12,400-square-foot soundstage, a rehearsal room, a performance area, common areas, and offices.

1986: Forays into directing with 'Under the Cherry Moon'

Prince made his directorial debut in 1986 with the musical dramedy "Under the Cherry Moon." The film, starring Prince himself, featured some of the artist's most celebrated songs, including "Sometimes It Snows in April" and "Kiss."

1989: 'Batman' soundtrack

By the late '80s, Prince was already one of the most influential and successful pop artists of all time. He was also alreadyin massive debt, according to Albert Magnoli, his manager at the time. When presented with the opportunity to produce the soundtrack to Tim Burton's "Batman," Magnoli convinced Prince it would make financial sense—and it did. The film grossed over $400 million at the box office.

1990: 'Purple Rain' gets a sequel

Prince wrote, directed, and starred in "Graffiti Bridge," the sequel to "Purple Rain." The musical drama featured appearances by funk musician George Clinton and R&B singer Tevin Campbell.

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1993: 'Billboards' ballet

Prince wrote the music for the Joffrey Ballet's "Billboards" in 1993. The show was a massive hit—and not just with the usual ballet crowd. According toThe Washington Post, the show opened "new veins of creativity … choreographically, precisely because Prince's music brings new orders of rhythm, sonority, sensuality, and psychology within reach of ballet's horizons." Because of Prince's musical contribution, the company, which was close to shutting down, got a second chance.

1993: Changing his name

In retaliation to his name and music being owned by Warner Bros., Prince changed his name ​​to an unpronounceable glyph in 1993. He would perform with the word "slave" written on his face, another act of protest in his quest to free himself of his contract.

1996: Death of his infant son

Prince married backup singer and dancerMayte Garciain 1996. The couple had a son,Amiir Nelson, who died six days after birth due to a rare genetic disorder, Pfeiffer syndrome type 2. The couple tried to conceive again but suffered a miscarriage. In 1998, Prince announced a planned annulment of his marriage to Garcia via press conference.

1996: His music and arts philanthropy

Prince and former wife, Mayte Garcia, foundedLove 4 One Anotherin 1996 to encourage the presence of music in the lives of children. The organization still exists today, servicing, retaining, and reviving music and arts programs in schools.

1996: Unleashes 19th album, 'Emancipation'

In 1996, Prince released his 19th studio album, "Emancipation." The three-disc album is what Prince described as "what freedom sounds like," in an interview withUSA Today—symbolizing his freedom from Warner Bros. Records.

1997: Rare interview with Chris Rock

In 1997, comedian Chris Rock sat down for aninterviewwith Prince for MTV. Prince gave a rare intimate conversation on influences as well as personal and controversial topics, such as his androgynous style, his relationships with women, and even potential musical rivalries.

2001: Marries Manuela Testolini

Prince married Manuela Testolini in 2001. The couple lived inTorontountil theydivorcedin 2006. During his time in Toronto, Prince recorded his 2004 album "Musicology."

2001: Becoming Jehovah's Witness

Raised Seventh-day Adventist, Prince transitioned to the faith of Jehovah's Witness in 2001. In a 2008 interview with theNew Yorker, Prince said he didn't see his switch as a conversion but rather as a realization. Religious motifs would play out in his music.

2004: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

The musician wasinductedinto the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. Prince was introduced by Alicia Keys and Big Boi and André 3000 of OutKast. He performed fan favorites "Let's Go Crazy" and "Kiss."

2004: Performing with Beyonce

In 2004, Prince and Beyoncé opened up the 46th AnnualGrammy Awardsperforming a medley of hits. It was an unforgettable performance that sizzled with the duo's showmanship. Along the way, Prince showed Queen Bey a few chords on the piano, whichapparently inspireda renewed appreciation for piano. She soon showcased her skills in a rare video of her on the ivories performing "Die With You."

2007: Super Bowl XLI halftime show

Prince was the headliner for the 2007 Super Bowl XLIhalftime show. Despite a storm that rolled in that day, it's said that Prince put on one of the greatest halftime shows ever and garnered an estimated140 million viewers on television. He ended the performance with "Purple Rain."

2008: Publishes first book

Prince released hisfirst published book, "21 Nights," in 2008. A photo essay following Prince's sold-out 21 concerts in 21 nights at London's O2 Arena in 2007, it features photography by photographer Randee St. Nicholas alongside Prince's poetry and new lyrics.

2011: Library of Congress National Recording Registry induction

The multi-platinum soundtrack "Purple Rain" wasinductedinto the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2011. The album delivered a sonically experimental mix of synth-pop, funk, and electronic guitar riffs—that would become a bedrock of Prince's iconic "Minneapolis Sound."

2016: Unexpected death

In 2016, Prince was foundunresponsivein the elevator of his Paisley Park home. The singer's death resulted from Prince ingesting what heprobably thought was Vicodin; it was actually a counterfeit painkiller laced with fentanyl. This led to his death at 57 years old. Prince's remains were cremated.

2022: 'Camille,' the unreleased album

An unreleased album, called "Camille," became the topic of conversation by Prince fans after his death. Camille, a feminine-presenting vocal style created by Prince with the help of some studio processing of his voice, turned out to be more than a rumor. In 2022, musician Jack White's record label, Third Man Records, confirmed they had the unreleased 1986 Prince album as well as permission to release it. As of this writing, no further release dates have been announced.

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Meet the 2 loves of Prince's life, plus more you may not know about him

Looking back at Prince's four-decade career, it's clear that when he signed his record deal with Warner Bros. at ...

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Zendaya Wears ‘Wedding Ring’ in Paris — Report

Zendayawas reportedly spotted wearing a "wedding ring" in Paris, which further fueled rumors that she secretly tied the knot withTom Holland. The actor-singer joined Robert Pattinson in the City of Light for the premiere of their new film, "The Drama." At the premiere, she was seen sporting the ring, creating a buzz online.

Earlier this month, her stylist, Law Roach, reportedly said at the 2026 SAG Awards that she and Holland may have secretly married. While the couple hasn't confirmed the news, the latest appearance of the ring is only amplifying the speculation.

Zendaya reportedly wears 'wedding ring' amid Tom Holland rumors

As reported by theDaily Mail, Zendaya attended the Paris premiere of her new film, "The Drama." She attended the premiere alongside her co-star Robert Pattinson, sporting what appeared to be a wedding ring. The "Euphoria" actor wore a stunning white dress with a long black train at the back, looking gorgeous as always.

Meanwhile, the open back added drama to the look. She accessorized the sleek outfit with black heels, a dazzling necklace, earrings, and a ring that seemingly resembled a wedding band. Pattinson, on the other hand, wore a classic black suit.

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As forZendaya, this time it wasn't her ravishing dress, glamorous makeup, or stylish hairstyle that stole the spotlight. It was the ring that grabbed all the attention and prompted people to wonder if she had really married her longtime partner,Tom Holland.

Earlier, Law Roach, Zendaya's stylist, commented during an awards function that the actor may have secretly married the "Spider-Man" star. Although the couple hasn't made any public announcement, Zendaya has been seen wearing bridal-inspired looks, further strengthening the rumors.

Zendaya and Holland have been dating for years now. They have always kept their relationship low-key, trying to keep their private life away from public scrutiny. For now, the rumors remain unconfirmed, leaving fans to speculate about the true meaning behind the ring.

The postZendaya Wears 'Wedding Ring' in Paris — Reportappeared first onReality Tea.

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Zendaya Wears ‘Wedding Ring’ in Paris — Report

Zendayawas reportedly spotted wearing a "wedding ring" in Paris, which further fueled rumors that she secretly tied the knot with...

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At least 1,000 US troops from 82nd Airborne set to deploy to Mideast, AP sources say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Divisionto the Middle Eastin the coming days, according to three people with knowledge of the plans.

Iran US Military

The unit is considered the Army's emergency response force and can typically be deployed on short notice. The force would include a battalion of the 1st Brigade Combat Team as well as Maj. Gen. Brandon Tegtmeier, the division's commander, and division staff, according to the people, who spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans or private conversations.

It's the latest addition of American troops to the Iran war effort after U.S. officials recently said thousands of Marines aboard several Navy ships will be heading to the region.

While the Marine units are trained in missions that include supporting U.S. embassies, evacuating civilians and disaster relief, the soldiers of the 82nd Airborne, based at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, are trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.

When asked about the deployment, White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly deferred to the Pentagon but noted that "President Trump always has all military options at his disposal."

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee are scheduled to receive a classified briefing from Pentagon officials Wednesday on Capitol Hill where the potential deployment is expected to be discussed, according to a U.S. official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The New York Times earlier reported the possible deployment of the 82nd Airborne to the Middle East.

U.S. officials previously have said the Japan-based USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit had been ordered to the Middle East — shifting them from exercises near Taiwan.

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They also confirmed that the Navy has rushed to deploy a set of ships carrying a rapid-response Marine force to the Middle East from their home post of San Diego.

The pair of Marine Expeditionary Units will add about 5,000 Marines and thousands of sailors to the region, where the U.S. already has about 50,000 troops.

The troops are being added just as the Trump administration says it hasbegun negotiations with Iranto end the war. Pakistan offered to host diplomatic talks, but Iran has denied that any negotiations are taking place.

While speaking Tuesday at the White House, Trump said the U.S. is "in negotiations right now" and his envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are involved in the talks, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

"We have a number of people doing it," Trump said. "And the other side, I can tell you, they'd like to make a deal."

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's office said he has been discussing the war this week with several counterparts. ButMohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the speaker of Iran's parliament, denied Trump's claim of direct talks, and an Iranian military spokesman issued a newly defiant statement vowing to fight "until complete victory."

Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price and Collin Binkley contributed to this report.

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March 25, 2026

At least 1,000 US troops from 82nd Airborne set to deploy to Mideast, AP sources say

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military is preparing to deploy at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Divisionto the Mi...

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Paris Jackson Is Suing Her Father’s Estate Over Secret Bonuses, a Biopic She Hates, and Millions in Murky Payments

Paris Jackson is locked in an escalating legal battle with Michael Jackson's estate co-executors John Branca and John McClain, accusing them of financial mismanagement, unauthorized bonuses, and self-serving decisions tied to the upcoming biopic Michael.

Summary

• The dispute centers on more than $600,000 in questionable payments, a controversial casting decision involving Miles Teller, and a fight over when the estate must release its 2025 financial accounts.

• The estate is firing back hard, pointing to its transformation from $500 million in debt to a multi-billion-dollar empire, and accusing Paris's team of staging "tabloid press photo ops" rather than engaging in good faith.

Nearly 17 years afterMichael Jackson's death, the King of Pop's multibillion-dollar estate remains a battlefield. And standing in the middle of it, paperwork in hand, burgundy blazer on point, is his 27-year-old daughterParis Jackson— who is quickly becoming the most formidable threat the estate's executives have ever faced.

This isn't a passing grievance or a tabloid spat. With all the storms Michael Jackson's reputation, legacy, and bank accounts have weathered through the years, it could be his outspoken and independent daughter who blows the whole house down.

At the center of the ongoing estate dispute is a combustible mix of money, power, and a whole lot of receipts. At the center of this dispute is more than $600,000 in bonuses, self-described "premium payments," payouts to various law firms and individuals for largely unaccounted-for work, and an insistence on gifts such as cars and fancy watches that may or may not have come from MJ himself.

Paris, in a pre-hearing brief filed in mid-March,wasn't exactly subtleabout how she feels about co-executorJohn Branca— the attorney her father fired multiple times while he was still alive. Her legal team described Branca by referencing the filmA Few Good Men, writing that he testified "he had neither the time nor the inclination to explain himself to his beneficiaries, and 'would rather that you just said thank you and went on your way.'"

Colonel Jessup would be proud.

If the financial complaints weren't enough, there's also the matter ofMichael— theAntoine Fuqua-directed biopic starringJaafar Jackson(yes, MJ's nephew) andColman Domingo, set to hit theaters on April 24, 2026. Paris has long described the film as "sugar-coated" and "dishonest" based on a script she was provided.

Her latest legal filings take direct aim at how Branca handled his role as a producer on the project. Paris questioned the "peculiar and presumably costly" choice to cast A-list actorMiles Tellerto play Branca himself, doubting whether such an expensive move would actually translate into higher box office returns.

She also raised alarms about the estate allegedly being forced to spend tens of millions on reshoots — a problem she argues stems from Branca's inexperience in film production. There's also the matter of a 1994 deal. Paris and her lawyers want to bury Branca for not knowing about, or knowing the significance of, a $20 million-plus settlement with the family of then-underagedJordan Chandlerthat forbade depiction of his relationship with Michael Jackson and the allegations of sexual abuse.

The estate, for its part, is not amused. "The estate is extremely happy with the movie and expects it to be very profitable for the estate," an estate spokesperson toldDeadline.

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The lawyers for Branca and the Jackson estate co-executor,John McClain, went full scorched earth in their response. They said Paris and her lawyers have "either not been paying attention over the past several years or simply want to object for objections' sake."

They didn't stop there. They added that Paris and her team "seem far more interested in playing media games by making headline-grabbing, yet false, accusations; raising specific 'concerns' over issues previously addressed and resolved, and staging tabloid press photo ops strutting into hearings with obvious props."

Oof. (For the record, Paris showed up to a March courthouse appearance in a matching burgundy wide-leg trouser set and skyscraper heels, so if that's a prop, it's a very chic one.)

The estate's defenders have a significant counterargument: the numbers. The estate carried $500 million in debt at the time of Michael Jackson's death in 2009 and was facing the possibility of bankruptcy. Under Branca and McClain's management, it was rebuilt into a business generating billions in revenue.

They also note that Paris has already received approximately $65 million in benefits from the estate and stands to inherit many hundreds of millions more.

But Paris's court filings argue something more fundamental is broken. Her filing stressed that the estate has "morphed into a private entertainment investment fund managed more for the benefit of executors and their counsel than its beneficiaries."

And she's not doing this alone. Paris,Prince, andBigi Jacksonare legally demanding that the estate release the financial breakdown of their 2025 expenses, with a request for the report by September 15; however, the estate claims they need at least 16 months to finalize the reports.

Retired JudgeMitchell Beckloff— who has presided over this case since Michael Jackson's death in 2009 — is overseeing the latest hearings. With Paris Jackson and her brothers, Prince and Bigi, now adults, it is hard to deny that the family could take control now.

No ruling is expected immediately, but the trajectory is clear: this dispute isn't winding down. It's just getting started. Whether you're Team Paris or Team Estate, one thing is certain — Michael Jackson's legacy, financial and otherwise, is still very much up for grabs.

MORE POP CULTURE HEADLINES

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Paris Jackson Is Suing Her Father’s Estate Over Secret Bonuses, a Biopic She Hates, and Millions in Murky Payments

Paris Jackson is locked in an escalating legal battle with Michael Jackson's estate co-executors John Branca and John...

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NY gets OK to end health coverage for 460,000 due to federal cuts

New York has gotten permission to undo a health insurance expansion in response to federal funding cuts, a move that will end nearly free health care for 460,000 low-income New Yorkers as of July 1.

The state opted to absorb the cuts by rolling back eligibility for its Essential Plan, a federally funded program that provides coverage with no premiums and some co-pays for almost 1.7 million New Yorkers. Enrollment had jumped after state officials raised the income cutoff in 2024.

Now, they are restoring the original limit, which will disqualify all those who earn more. Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the Trump administration's final approval for that change on March 20, blaming federal cuts for the reversal while saying it will protect care for 1.3 million people still enrolled in the Essential Plan.

"Because Republicans used their majority to pass the largest health care cuts in history, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers are still facing painful decisions about whether they can afford coverage, and no state can fully backfill these draconian cuts," Hochul said in a statement.

The governor was in Washington, D.C., on March 20 to discuss the Essential Plan and Medicaid with Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Speaking to reporters on Monday, March 23, Hochul said one issue she and her staff are exploring is a potential accommodation for those losing their Essential Plan coverage.

"I can tell you, it's very much top of mind for us," she said.

What prompted the Essential Plan change?

New York got approval from the prior Biden administration to expand eligibility for the Essential Plan, which covers working New Yorkers who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid and aren't insured through their employers. The Essential Plan's limit rose from 200% of the federal poverty level to 250% of the poverty level, which as of last year equated to $39,000 for an individual and $67,000 for a family of three.

Enrollment surged as a result, adding about 380,000 people in that expanded income range by the end of 2024, state data shows. That number has grown to just over 460,000 as of March 1.

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What caused the state to reconsider was the "big, beautiful bill," the package of tax and spending cuts that Republicans in Congress and PresidentDonald Trumpenacted last year. Among the law's litany of policy changes was a ban on health care funding for immigrants who are legally present in the U.S. but not citizens. New York officials said that rule would sap the Essential Plan by $7.5 billion a year.

The state initially considered shifting those immigrants to state-funded Medicaid coverage, at a cost of about $2.7 billion a year. But it announced last September that it would instead reverse its program expansion.

Are there other plans for those losing health coverage in NY?

Enrollees earning more than 200% of the poverty level will lose Essential Plan coverage as of July 1. What is available to them then is private health coverage through the state-run marketplace set up under the Affordable Care Act, the 2010 federal law better known as Obamacare.

The state Department of Health announced Monday, March 23, that it will notify those disqualified enrollees and explain their coverage options on April 1.

"Our priority is to ensure New Yorkers continue to have access to affordable, high-quality coverage," Dr. James McDonald, the state health commissioner, said in a statement.

An analysis this month by the Empire Center for Public Policyconcluded that New Yorkers in the disqualified income range would be eligible for federal subsidies that cover 67% to 80% of their premiums. That would result in annual premiums of roughly $2,000 to $3,200, according to that report by Bill Hammond, the Empire Center's senior fellow for health policy.

But state officials noted other potential costs in Monday's statement, saying those customers may "face deductibles of thousands of dollars before coverage kicks in."

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA TODAY Network. Reach him atCMcKenna@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News:NY health coverage ending for 460K due to federal cuts. What to know

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March 25, 2026

NY gets OK to end health coverage for 460,000 due to federal cuts

New York has gotten permission to undo a health insurance expansion in response to federal funding cuts, a move that will...

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Exclusive-US ramps up fuel exports to Cuba's private sector

HAVANA/HOUSTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. suppliers have shipped approximately 30,000 barrels of fuel to Cuba's private sector this year to date, according to documents and shipping data viewed by Reuters, suggesting a Trump administration plan to give private business a leg up over state-run enterprise is well underway.

Since January, the United States has been enforcing a de facto oil blockade against its long-time foe ‌in a bid to starve Cuba of fuel and pressure its government into submission.

But it has made an exception for the Communist-run country's small but vital private sector.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said ‌authorizing those fuel exports fits with a broader Trump administration policy "entirely designed to put the private sector and individual private Cubans – not affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the military – in a privileged position."

The volume of fuel imported since early February by the private sector - around 30,000 ​barrels, or approximately 1.27 million gallons (4.8 million liters) - is equivalent to just over one tenth of a typical medium-size fuel tanker's capacity, a fraction of the country's needs.

Cuba had until recently required some 100,000 barrels per day of imported fuel to feed its power plants and meet regular demand from vehicles and jets.

But the previously unreported figures suggest Rubio's plan is advancing, with imported volumes growing week by week, according to the shipping documents seen by Reuters.

CONTAINER SHIPS BRING VARIETY OF PRODUCTS

Since Washington captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January, the U.S. has blocked Venezuelan oil supplies to Cuba's government and threatened to slap tariffs on any other country that ships fuel to the island.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said last week the island had not ‌received any fuel in three months. He made no reference to the private ⁠sector supplies.

Thus far in 2026, 61 container ships carrying a variety of products imported by private companies - including fuel - have discharged in Cuba, often ferrying back and forth between Cuban and U.S., European and other Caribbean ports.

Most of the ships have discharged at the port of Mariel, west of Havana, and two more are underway from Spain and Jamaica to discharge ⁠by the end of the month, with arrivals down slightly from 75 container ships in the same period last year, according to vessel tracking data from LSEG analyzed by Reuters.

According to the data, some of the Cuba-bound container ships departed this year from major energy hubs where products like coal, crude and refined products are loaded, although the lion's share of the vessels that arrived in Cuba are categorized at origin as multi-purpose, which means they carry a variety of products.

Shipments originating in the U.S. Gulf Coast, ​particularly ​in Southwest Pass in Louisiana - a key energy corridor - are on the rise, the data also revealed, although most U.S.-originated container ships ​to Cuba this year departed from Florida.

The fresh flows have allowed some businesses to keep ‌operations intact despite the crushing fuel blockade that has hit already ailing public transportation, electricity generation and tourism.

Since early February, when exports began, fuel has begun to trickle into private-sector companies initially paralyzed by the blockade, three businesspeople in Cuba told Reuters.

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The list of firms importing fuel includes private breadmakers, wholesalers who distribute goods to small private markets in urban areas, and larger online shops like grocer Supermarket23, according to sources and documents viewed by Reuters.

Supermarket23 notified customers in February that it was no longer taking orders due to the fuel crunch. But it has since imported fuel, allowing it to resume its delivery services, a source with direct knowledge of its operation said.

The company did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

NO FUNNY BUSINESS

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security in February released guidance authorizing exports and re-exports of U.S. gas and petroleum products to eligible Cuban private-sector entities.

Cuba's government, meanwhile, said it would allow private ‌micro, small, and medium-sized companies, known as MIPYMES, to import the fuel to ease the energy crisis.

Private companies are implementing tight controls ​to assure the intent of the U.S. program is not violated, all three business sources said.

Commercial resale is not permitted - the fuel is ​to be used only by the importing parties, another source added.

Cuban authorities have also developed safety rules to ​regulate private sector storage and dispatch of the newly arrived fuel, a Cuban government source told Reuters.

The imported fuel arrives primarily in ISO tanks that are designed to hold and transport ‌approximately 21,600 liters of fuel safely on container ships, according to the documents seen ​by Reuters.

Around 200 such ISO-tanks have been discharged in Cuba, ​the documents show. The vast majority of the imports are diesel; only 1% of the tanks contained gasoline. Most originated from the United States, the shipping data shows.

Gasoline is more flammable than diesel and requires more care during storage and dispatch, limiting its usefulness on an island with very little modern infrastructure.

Some businesses have located large white ISO-tanks of diesel onsite beside existing facilities, while others have inked agreements to rent ​idle infrastructure on the island to store larger quantities of fuel while strictly limiting ‌its distribution to private sector companies only, the sources said.

The U.S. fuel exports to Cuba's private firms come with a clear caveat.

"If we catch the private sector there playing games and diverting it ​to the regime or to the military company, if we find that they're moving that stuff around in ways that violate the spirit and the scope of these permissions, those licenses will ​be canceled," Rubio said in February.

(Reporting by Dave Sherwood in Havana and Marianna Parraga in Houston, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)

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March 25, 2026

Exclusive-US ramps up fuel exports to Cuba's private sector

HAVANA/HOUSTON, March 25 (Reuters) - U.S. suppliers have shipped approximately 30,000 barrels of fuel to Cuba's priva...

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