Cuban aviation regulators have issued urgent warnings to airlines operating on the island, highlighting a severe scarcity of jet fuel that will affect operations at nine airports, including the primary José Martí International Airport in Havana. The fuel shortage is scheduled to begin on the upcoming Tuesday and persist through March 11, underscoring Cuba's escalating energy constraints.
This development follows intensified measures by the U.S. government under President Donald Trump, aimed at curbing Cuba’s access to petroleum resources historically sourced from Venezuela and Mexico. In late January, a new executive order introduced tariffs on commodities originating from nations that supply oil to Cuba, a policy likely to deepen the island’s entrenched energy crisis.
While the scarcity may not significantly disrupt short-haul flights within the Caribbean, it poses substantial operational challenges for longer international routes, particularly those connecting Cuba to Russia and Canada, destinations integral to the island’s critical tourism economy.
Reacting to the announcement, Air Canada has suspended flights to Cuba, and other airlines have adjusted schedules to incorporate stopovers in the Dominican Republic before proceeding to Havana. Industry insiders note that although fueling challenges have been a recurring issue, the issuance of an official notice on such a wide scale is unprecedented in recent times. One pilot recollected that a comparable fuel rationing episode occurred over a decade ago, during which transatlantic flights to Europe refueled in Nassau, Bahamas. Presently, carriers operating within the region may circumvent difficulties by carrying additional fuel supplies, or by refueling in alternative locations such as Cancun, Mexico, or the Dominican Republic.
Cuban authorities have not publicly clarified the duration or any potential adjustments to the current fuel rationing directive.
Amid these aviation challenges, the broader energy shortages are inflicting widespread disruptions across Cuba’s public services. The country, heavily reliant on tourism which once contributed approximately $3 billion per year, now grapples with diminished transportation capacity. Officials have curtailed bank operating hours and suspended cultural activities, with Havana's public bus system virtually at a standstill. Prolonged power outages and extensive gasoline queues have exacerbated hardships for residents.
The emergency has compelled the cancellation of major events such as the Havana International Book Fair and prompted a reorganization of the national baseball schedule to conserve resources. Additionally, fuel distribution protocols have tightened; some fuel providers no longer accept Cuban pesos, instead transacting in U.S. dollars and limiting sales to 20 liters per customer.
These measures supplement earlier restrictions including reductions in bus transit and decreased train service frequency. President Miguel Díaz-Canel addressed the nation in a lengthy televised speech, acknowledging the crisis’s gravity and foreshadowing further responsive actions.
U.S. sanctions against Cuba, extending over sixty years, have historically constrained the country’s economic prospects. However, recent escalations following increased pressure on Venezuela’s government have intensified these limitations. For ordinary Cubans, the ongoing crisis manifests as extended electrical blackouts, vehicular fuel scarcities, and shortages of essential commodities, recalling the severe difficulties experienced during the 1990s Special Period.