Cuba is facing a critical shortage of aviation fuel, prompting the government to inform international airlines that it will be unable to supply them starting Monday, February 9, 2026. The move comes as the island nation grapples with a deepening economic crisis and escalating tensions with the United States.
The Cuban government attributed the fuel shortage to a new order from U.S. President Donald Trump, signed January 29, 2026, which threatens tariffs on any country supplying petroleum to Cuba. The Trump administration argues that Cuba poses a threat to U.S. National security. This development adds another layer of complexity to an already strained economic situation for Cuba, which hasn’t seen conditions this dire since the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s.
According to sources in the aviation sector, Cuba typically imports around 60,000 barrels of fuel daily from countries including Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, and Algeria, but its domestic production only covers approximately 40% of its energy needs. The potential disruption to air travel highlights the vulnerability of the Cuban economy to external pressures.
The U.S. Executive order, titled “Addressing the Threats Posed by the Government of Cuba,” establishes a system of additional tariffs for countries that supply petroleum to the island, either directly or indirectly. The Department of Commerce will determine which nations are engaging in this practice, while the Department of State will decide the magnitude of the tariffs. Washington accuses the Cuban government of aligning with strategic adversaries like Russia, China, and Iran, facilitating intelligence infrastructure for foreign powers, and harboring organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.
The fuel crisis is already impacting Cuba’s tourism sector, with reports indicating that some hotels are closing and tourists are being relocated. This comes as Cuba announced an emergency plan to cope with the lack of crude oil and fuel imports, including ending diesel sales, reducing hours at state offices and hospitals, and shuttering some hotels. The situation underscores the far-reaching consequences of the U.S. Policy and the challenges facing the Cuban government as it attempts to navigate the crisis.
