The Cuban government announced that due to a shortage of fuel, international airlines will not be able to refuel in Cuba.
According to CNBC, the Cuban government stated last Sunday that starting from Monday, fuel for Cuban aviation will run out, and the shortage of diesel is expected to last for a month, affecting all international airports in Cuba.
Since January 3, when the United States overthrew the Maduro dictatorship in Venezuela through military action, the Trump administration has been intensifying pressure on Cuba. President Trump issued an executive order at the end of January pointing out that the communist regime in Cuba poses an extraordinary and special threat, declaring a state of emergency.
Trump warned that Cuba has close relations with authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, and Iran, has a poor human rights record, and its communist leaders disrupt regional stability through migration and violence. Countries that directly or indirectly provide oil to Cuba may face tariffs imposed by the U.S. government.
With the energy crisis worsening, the Cuban government announced a series of measures last Friday, including restrictions on fuel sales, closing some tourist spots, reducing school hours, and shortening the workweek for state institutions to four days, from Monday to Thursday.
In light of the tariff pressure, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum suspended fuel supplies to Cuba last week. She announced that the Mexican government plans to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba starting from Monday and seek diplomatic channels to restore oil shipments to Cuba. Under pressure from the Trump administration, Mexico halted the transport of crude oil and petroleum products to Cuba.
On February 1, President Trump stated that the United States is in high-level talks with Cuba and expects to reach an agreement soon.