Cuba Faces Big Problems with Fuel and Fewer Tourists

Cuba is having a hard time because there is not enough fuel. Many flights to and from the island have stopped. This means fewer tourists are visiting, which makes the country's money problems worse.
By Newsroom | World News, Latin America |

This past week has marked a critical juncture for Cuba, with a confluence of severe fuel shortages, the suspension of tourist flights, and a stark decline in visitor numbers signaling a worsening economic and social crisis on the island. The direct impact of these shortages is visible in the paralysis of key industries and the growing uncertainty for the Cuban population.

No fuel, no tourists, no cash - this was the week the Cuban crisis got real - 1

Escalating Shortages and Flight Disruptions

Cuba is grappling with an acute fuel deficit, leading to widespread disruptions. This has had a direct and immediate effect on the tourism sector, a vital source of foreign currency for the nation.

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  • Aviation Fuel Scarcity: All three airlines that previously ferried tourists from Canada to Cuba have halted their services. This decision stems from a critical lack of aviation fuel within the island.

  • Suspended Operations: Major Canadian carriers, including Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, and Sunwing, have collectively suspended all flights to Cuba. This abrupt cessation of service has left thousands of tourists already on the island facing difficulties with their return journeys.

  • Evacuation Efforts: These Canadian airlines have coordinated operations to evacuate their citizens, using empty aircraft to fly to Cuba with full fuel tanks, solely for the purpose of returning passengers. These flights are designed to provide a maximum fuel load for the return trip, as refueling in Cuba is not an option.

  • Airport Impact: Reports indicate that Cuba's airports have run out of fuel, contributing to the grounding of approximately 400 weekly flights across all nine Cuban airports.

Tourism Sector Collapse and Economic Strain

The fuel crisis has precipitated a sharp downturn in Cuba's tourism industry, which is traditionally the island's second-largest earner of foreign currency, following revenue generated from medical professionals working abroad.

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  • Tourist Exodus: Visitors are reportedly leaving Cuba in increasing numbers as the crisis intensifies. Sites that are typically bustling, such as hop-on, hop-off tourist buses in Havana, are now reported to be virtually empty.

  • Business Impact: This decline in tourism exacerbates the existing economic strain on the island, impacting businesses that rely on foreign visitors. The lack of fuel also hinders the operational capacity of many businesses that remain open, despite frequent power outages and shortages of essential supplies.

Root Causes and Contributing Factors

The current crisis is multifaceted, with the U.S.-imposed fuel blockade identified as a primary catalyst, compounded by earlier geopolitical shifts affecting Cuba's primary fuel supplier.

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  • U.S. Sanctions: An executive order issued by President Donald Trump in January 2026 imposed strict penalties on entities selling oil to Cuba, alleging the nation was undertaking actions that "harm and threaten" the U.S. This policy is described as a "fuel blockade" or "oil blockade" by various reports.

  • Venezuela's Role: The situation has rapidly deteriorated following the arrest of President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela in January 2026. Venezuela had been Cuba's main supplier of fuel, and its subsequent disruption has significantly impacted Cuba's energy supplies.

  • Broader Economic Weakness: Cuba was already experiencing economic difficulties due to decades of American sanctions, with the recent developments serving to accelerate its decline.

Humanitarian and Social Consequences

Beyond the economic implications, the fuel shortage is leading to significant challenges for the Cuban populace, affecting daily life and essential services.

  • Rolling Blackouts: The island is experiencing frequent and widespread "rolling blackouts" due to the lack of fuel.

  • Essential Service Strain: These power outages are placing a strain on critical infrastructure, including hospitals. Access to basic necessities such as cooking facilities and clean water is becoming increasingly difficult for many.

  • Humanitarian Aid: In response to the deepening crisis, Mexico has dispatched humanitarian aid to Cuba. Two Mexican navy ships arrived carrying over 800 tons of essential supplies, including milk, meat, beans, rice, and personal hygiene items.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Engagements

The crisis has prompted various international responses and diplomatic activities.

  • Russian Evacuations: Russia has begun evacuating its tourists from Cuba, citing the U.S.-engineered fuel crisis.

  • Vatican Involvement: There are reports of discussions involving the Vatican, which is seen as an increasingly influential force on the island. It is understood that a key figure is heading to Rome for discussions there.

Conclusion

The week's events underscore the severe and escalating crisis in Cuba, driven by a crippling fuel shortage directly linked to U.S. sanctions and the disruption of its primary oil supplier, Venezuela. The paralysis of the tourism sector, evidenced by the mass suspension of flights and the exodus of visitors, signals profound economic hardship. The cascading effects are impacting daily life for Cubans, straining essential services and necessitating humanitarian aid. The situation remains dynamic, with diplomatic engagements and international responses shaping the immediate future of the island.

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Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is Cuba running out of fuel?
The country has a fuel shortage. This is made worse by rules from the U.S. and problems with Venezuela, which used to supply Cuba with fuel.
Q: What is happening to flights to Cuba?
Many airlines, especially from Canada, have stopped flying to Cuba because there is not enough jet fuel. This is making it hard for tourists to get to and leave the island.
Q: How does this affect people in Cuba?
The lack of fuel causes power outages, making it hard to get food, water, and use essential services like hospitals.
Q: Is anyone helping Cuba?
Yes, Mexico has sent aid with food and supplies. Russia is also helping its citizens leave the island.
Q: What is the U.S. role in this?
The U.S. has put rules in place that make it harder for companies to sell oil to Cuba, which is seen as a main reason for the fuel shortage.