Cuba warns of islandwide jet fuel crunch

HAVANA — Cuba's government has warned airlines that there is not enough fuel for airplanes to refuel on the island, the latest step in its moves to ration energy as the United States cuts the Caribbean country off from its fuel resources.

Cuban aviation officials published the notices to airlines and pilots on Sunday night, warning that jet fuel will not be available at nine airports across the island, including Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, from Tuesday until March 11.

US political pressure on Latin America has effectively severed Cuba's access to its primary petroleum sources in Venezuela and Mexico.

A White House executive order signed late last month threatened to impose tariffs on other countries if they continue to supply fuel to Cuba, a move that could further cripple the island plagued by a deepening energy crisis.

While the rationing may not disrupt shorter regional flights, it presents a significant challenge for long-haul routes from countries such as Russia and Canada — a critical pillar of Cuba's tourism economy.

Air Canada announced on Monday that it was suspending flights to the island, while other airlines announced delays and layovers in the Dominican Republic before flights continued to Havana.

Also on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the situation in Cuba is "indeed critical".

"The suffocating tactics employed by the United States are indeed causing many difficulties for the country," he said. "We are discussing with our Cuban friends possible ways to resolve these problems, or at least to provide all possible assistance."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Tuesday that China "firmly supports Cuba in safeguarding its national sovereignty and security, and opposes external interference".

"China stands firmly against the inhumane actions that deprive the Cuban people of their right to subsistence and development," he said. "We will, as always, do our best to provide support and assistance to Cuba."

The fuel shortage deals another blow to a country that relies heavily on tourism, an industry that once generated $3 billion in annual revenue and served as a vital economic lifeline.

Cuban officials also announced Monday that bank hours have been reduced and cultural events suspended. In Havana, the public bus system has effectively ground to a halt, leaving residents stranded as endemic power outages and grueling fuel lines reach a breaking point.

The energy emergency has forced the suspension of major events such as the Havana International Book Fair this weekend. Some banks have cut operating hours, and fuel distribution companies said they would no longer sell gas in Cuban pesos.

US sanctions against Cuba have been in place for more than 60 years and have long stunted the island's economy. However, they reached new extremes after a US military operation forcibly seized Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, and Washington began to take an even more confrontational tone toward Latin America.

Agencies - Xinhua