Havana – Cuba is facing a severe aviation fuel shortage, forcing airlines to cancel flights and prompting a warning from the Foreign Office about widespread power cuts. The crisis, stemming from a confluence of factors including U.S. Sanctions and disruptions to oil supplies, is deepening an already precarious economic situation on the island.
Cuban aviation authorities announced on , that they could no longer guarantee fuel for refueling international flights. The restrictions, initially slated to last until , are impacting all of Cuba’s international airports. The Federal Aviation Administration has subsequently alerted airlines to the situation.
The immediate cause of the shortage appears to be the interruption of oil supplies following the U.S. Seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro in January. While Mexico initially stepped in to fill the gap, a subsequent executive order issued by the Trump administration on , threatened punitive tariffs on any country continuing to supply oil to Cuba. This led to a rapid drying up of available fuel, according to reports.
The U.S. President stated the tariffs were justified because the Cuban government poses “an unusual and extraordinary threat” to U.S. National security and foreign policy. The move effectively deepens the existing U.S. Blockade, a term used by Cuban officials to describe the decades-long embargo.
Air Canada has already cancelled all flights to Cuba in response to the fuel shortage, and other airlines are facing significant disruptions. The crisis is expected to have a substantial impact on tourism, a vital source of hard currency for the Cuban economy. Spanish hotel groups Meliá and Iberostar are reportedly on high alert, anticipating further declines in visitor numbers.
The fuel crisis extends beyond aviation. The Cuban government has implemented broad rationing measures, including limits on gasoline and diesel sales, reduced workweeks at state-owned companies, shortened school days, and the temporary closure of some tourist sites. Reports indicate that some Cubans are resorting to cooking with charcoal and wood to cope with the energy shortages, echoing the hardships experienced during the “Periodo Especial” – the economic crisis that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.
The situation is particularly acute in Havana, where fuel restrictions are visibly impacting daily life. Long lines are forming at gas stations, and power cuts lasting more than 24 hours are becoming increasingly common due to the lack of fuel for generators, the Foreign Office has warned.
Russia, a key ally of Cuba, has described the situation as “truly critical.” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that U.S. Pressure is creating significant difficulties for Havana, and that Moscow remains in close contact with Cuban officials.
For airlines, the fuel shortage presents logistical and financial challenges. Carriers are now forced to arrive with enough fuel for round-trip operations, seek alternative refueling stops, or cancel services altogether. This is particularly problematic for shorter regional routes where aircraft typically do not carry excess fuel.
The crisis highlights Cuba’s vulnerability to external economic pressures and its dependence on imported fuel. The island nation has limited domestic oil production and relies heavily on imports, primarily from Venezuela. The disruption of this supply, coupled with the U.S. Sanctions, has created a perfect storm of energy scarcity.
The long-term implications of the fuel shortage remain uncertain. While Cuban authorities have not provided a timeline for restoring fuel supplies, the situation is likely to persist as long as the U.S. Maintains its current policy towards Cuba and Venezuela. The crisis underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region and the far-reaching consequences of U.S. Foreign policy decisions.
The current situation is not simply an economic issue; it is also a humanitarian one. The widespread power cuts and fuel rationing are impacting the daily lives of ordinary Cubans, exacerbating existing economic hardships and raising concerns about access to essential services. The crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the island nation and the urgent need for a sustainable solution.
