Cuba Suspends International Jet Refueling Amid Severe Energy Crisis and US Sanctions

As of February 2026, the Republic of Cuba is grappling with an intensifying fuel deficit, a crisis that the nation's leadership attributes directly to restrictive measures imposed by the United States and a drastic decline in domestic oil reserves. In a decisive move to conserve dwindling energy resources, Cuban authorities have officially announced a temporary suspension of Jet A-1 aviation fuel supplies for international carriers. This restriction is slated to last for a period of one month, commencing on February 10, 2026, as the government attempts to stabilize the national energy grid.

This mandatory limitation has forced long-haul international airlines to adjust their flight paths, requiring technical stops for refueling in neighboring jurisdictions such as Mexico, the Bahamas, or the Dominican Republic. The logistical strain has led several foreign carriers to cancel their scheduled flights to the island altogether. Instead, these airlines are organizing specialized return flights, often flying empty to Cuba to evacuate approximately 3,000 stranded travelers. The fuel restrictions are set to impact operations at nine international airports across the country, including the primary gateway, Jose Marti International Airport in Havana.

Cuba's daily energy requirements are estimated at approximately 110,000 barrels of oil. However, Venezuela, which has historically served as the island's primary energy partner, was only able to supply about 30,000 barrels throughout 2025 due to the weight of American sanctions. The situation reached a breaking point on February 9, 2026, when reports confirmed that Mexico had also ceased oil shipments. This decision followed direct threats from the United States to impose sanctions on any nation cooperating with Havana. Consequently, for the first time in over ten years, Cuba finds itself without any oil imports, as Mexico had become the lead supplier following the decline of Venezuelan shipments.

Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva has emphasized that these emergency measures are designed to prioritize the remaining fuel for essential sectors, specifically food production, electricity generation, and the protection of foreign trade activities. The energy crisis has already triggered a sharp increase in the cost of living, with prices rising for basic food items and urban taxi fares. To further mitigate the impact, the government has introduced energy-saving protocols, which include the temporary closure of certain hotel complexes and significant limitations on the functioning of non-essential government services.

The recent escalation of this crisis can be traced back to an executive decree signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on January 30, 2026. This order introduced additional customs tariffs on goods imported from any nation that continues to supply oil to Cuba. On February 6, 2026, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the U.S. policy, describing it as a calculated attempt to "completely suffocate" the island's economy. Meanwhile, Russia has characterized the situation as "critical." On February 9, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that intensive diplomatic contacts are underway to discuss potential solutions and provide any feasible assistance to the Cuban government.

Despite the mounting logistical hurdles, the approximately 4,000 Russian tourists currently on the island have largely continued their departures as scheduled. However, on February 9, Rossiya Airlines took the step of canceling its Moscow—Havana flight, opting to send an empty aircraft specifically to facilitate the evacuation of tourists. Looking ahead, economist Inna Litvinenko warns that even temporary disruptions of this magnitude could have long-lasting financial impacts. She predicts that airfare prices could surge by 50% or more as airlines struggle to cover the increased costs associated with complex refueling logistics and rerouted flight paths.