Cuba halts airline refueling for international carriers as the island faces a worsening energy crisis linked to United States sanctions and the suspension of oil supplies from Venezuela. Cuban aviation authorities have informed airlines that jet fuel will not be available locally for at least one month, forcing operational changes for long-distance flights.
The decision comes as Havana implements emergency measures to cope with fuel shortages that threaten electricity generation, transport services, and daily life. The crisis has also triggered reactions from Russia and Mexico, while Washington continues to increase economic pressure on the Cuban government.
Suspension of jet fuel supplies to airlines
Cuban officials notified international airlines serving the island that they will be unable to refuel in Cuba starting from midnight between Monday and Tuesday, according to a European airline official speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity. The suspension is expected to last for one month.
As a result, aircraft operating long-haul routes from Cuba will be required to make additional stops after departure to take on fuel. Cuban aviation authorities cited the severe fuel shortage as the reason for the measure.
Air France confirmed to AFP that its flights departing Cuba will refuel at alternative locations elsewhere in the Caribbean during this period. Other carriers are expected to adopt similar arrangements to maintain scheduled services.
Emergency measures amid a deepening energy crisis
The Cuban government announced a series of emergency steps on Friday to manage the growing energy crisis. These include:
A four-day work week for state-owned companies
• Restrictions on fuel sales across the country
• Reduced bus and interprovincial train services
• Temporary closure of certain tourist facilities
Additional measures affect the education sector. School days will be shortened, and universities have been instructed to relax mandatory in-person attendance requirements in order to reduce electricity and fuel consumption.
Officials warned that without immediate relief, fuel shortages could severely disrupt essential services. Power plants are already struggling to maintain electricity production, raising the risk of widespread blackouts.
US sanctions and the halt of Venezuelan oil
The current crisis follows a United States decision to halt oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba after American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in early January. Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were detained in Caracas and transferred to the United States to face drug trafficking charges.
Venezuela had long been Cuba’s primary oil supplier, providing subsidized fuel that underpinned the island’s energy system. The abrupt suspension of these shipments has left Havana scrambling to secure alternative sources.
President Donald Trump has also signed an executive order authorizing tariffs against countries that sell oil to Cuba. Trump stated that Mexico, which has supplied oil to the island since 2023, would cease shipments under the threat of US trade penalties.
Washington has for decades pursued policies aimed at weakening or overthrowing Cuba’s communist-led government. Cuban authorities accuse the Trump administration of deliberately attempting to “strangle” the island’s economy.
Russia condemns US measures
The Kremlin on Monday accused the United States of imposing “suffocating measures” against Cuba as the situation deteriorates. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described conditions on the island as “really critical.”
Peskov said Moscow is in discussions with Havana about possible ways to provide assistance, adding that Russia views US sanctions as unacceptable and has warned of a potential humanitarian crisis in Cuba.
Russia has historically maintained close political and economic ties with Cuba and has repeatedly criticized US policy toward the Caribbean nation in recent weeks.
Mexico sends humanitarian aid to Havana
Amid growing shortages, Mexico announced it has dispatched two navy ships carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba. According to Mexico’s foreign ministry, the vessels departed on Sunday and are expected to arrive in about four days.
The shipment includes 814 tons of supplies, such as:
Fresh and powdered milk
• Meat, beans, and rice
• Personal hygiene products
Mexican officials said an additional 1,500 tons of food aid are prepared for shipment. However, Mexico is still weighing how to continue oil deliveries to Cuba without triggering US tariffs. Last year, Mexico exported nearly $500 million worth of oil and petroleum products to the island, representing less than one percent of its total production, according to state-owned Pemex.
Havana signals openness to talks
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said his government is willing to engage in dialogue with the United States, but stressed that talks cannot take place under pressure or economic coercion.
Power cuts and fuel shortages have been recurring problems in Cuba in recent years, but officials say the current situation is more severe due to the loss of Venezuelan oil and expanded US sanctions.
Conclusion:
As Cuba halts airline refueling and enforces austerity measures, the energy crisis is increasingly affecting transportation, electricity, and food supplies. With international reactions intensifying and humanitarian aid beginning to arrive, the coming weeks are expected to be critical for the island’s stability and its relations with Washington.
