Havana is plunging into a new crisis as it suspends jet fuel supplies to all airlines for a full month, blaming the ongoing US blockade. The decision, announced to carriers worldwide, stems from Washington’s alleged cutoff of Venezuelan oil shipments, forcing long-haul flights to refuel elsewhere.
According to reports, the suspension kicks in from Monday midnight, impacting both regional and international routes. Airlines now face mandatory technical stops in places like Cancun, Punta Cana, or Nassau, driving up costs and delays. Air France has already confirmed rerouting to Caribbean hubs for refueling.
Roughly 400 weekly flights are disrupted, straining Cuba’s vital international air links. This move comes amid escalating US measures against the island nation, including a military operation that halted Venezuelan oil flows. Local outlets highlight nationwide blackouts looming due to power shortages, prompting emergency rationing of work hours, transport, fuel, and tourism.
Cuban aviation authorities delivered the stark notice on Monday: no more aviation fuel at their airports. Even as the US pledged $6 million in aid to its longtime foe, President Miguel Díaz-Canel accused Washington of waging an ‘energy blockade’ and psychological war. Referencing threats from former President Trump to tariff any nation selling oil to Cuba, Díaz-Canel framed it as economic sabotage amid Venezuela’s post-attack turmoil.
The fallout extends beyond aviation. With electricity blackouts threatening the grid, Havana has slashed daily operations across sectors. Airlines scramble to adapt, passengers face uncertainty, and Cuba’s isolation deepens. As tensions simmer, this fuel halt underscores the island’s vulnerability in the crosshairs of superpower rivalry.