Cuba has warned international airlines that its airports will run out of aviation fuel in the coming days amid a deepening energy crisis tied to U.S. pressure and tariff threats by President Donald Trump, officials and industry notices show.
The Caribbean island’s government issued a Notice to Aviation saying that jet fuel will not be available at Havana’s José Martí International Airport and several other airports from Feb. 10 through March 11, a shortfall expected to disrupt commercial flights and refueling operations. Reuters reported that supplies from Cuba’s main partner, Venezuela, have ceased after Washington’s campaign to block oil shipments under Trump’s intensified sanctions.
Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on any country that provides oil to Cuba, framing the pressure as part of a broader strategy to isolate the Cuban government and limit fuel imports amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
Cuban officials blame the U.S. actions for cutting off vital petroleum supplies and say the island could run out of aviation fuel within days.
The fuel shortage already has tangible effects: Air Canada and other Canadian carriers have suspended flights to Cuba, with repatriation flights underway for stranded travelers, while airlines are rerouting or planning refueling stops outside the country.
Experts warn the crisis could worsen Cuba’s broader energy shortages, which have led to rolling blackouts and restrictions on essential services, even as the government appeals for diplomatic solutions.
