hundreds of Russian tourists are facing significant travel disruptions in Cuba as an aviation fuel shortage grounds flights and causes lengthy delays [[1]]. The situation, reported Friday evening, underscores Cuba’s ongoing economic difficulties and the complex geopolitical factors at play on the island [[1]]. Passengers attempting to depart from the Varadero resort area are experiencing waits of up to two days as flights are rerouted to Havana for refueling.
Hundreds of Russian tourists are stranded in Cuba due to a shortage of aviation fuel, according to reports surfacing Friday evening. The situation highlights the island nation’s ongoing economic challenges and potential geopolitical pressures.
Flights from the Varadero resort area, where the majority of Russian tourists are located, are experiencing delays of one to two days. The delays are occurring because aircraft departing Varadero are first flying to Havana to refuel before continuing their journeys.
Passengers holding tickets with Venezuelan airline Conviasa are currently unsure when they will be able to return to Russia, as their flights have disappeared from information boards. The airline previously notified customers that it would cease flights to Cuba after February 22.
Russian diplomats in Havana are closely monitoring the situation regarding Russian tourists and are working with representatives of the Russian airline Aeroflot to secure fuel supplies for Russian carriers, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry’s crisis center, as reported by Interfax.
The situation comes amid heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba. Former U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly stated that Cuba could be the next target after taking action against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, and later signed an order allowing for tariffs on products from countries selling or supplying oil to Cuba.
According to the Russian Tourism Union, departures from Cuba are not restricted, but delays are possible due to fuel issues. The union has promised that Russians will return home soon, stating, “Fuel is currently being tanked. There is enough. We are managing the situation.”
An unnamed agent with a tour operator based in Varadero told a news portal that there are enough tickets available for all those wishing to depart Cuba, but the main issue is that flights from the resort must make a stopover in Havana, where they often face lengthy waits for refueling. As a result, a flight to Moscow can take five to 17 hours longer than the usual 12. The agent added that resorts have so far avoided disruptions to electricity, water, or food supplies.
Against the backdrop of the threat of a full blockade of oil imports to Cuba by the Trump administration, Russia has reaffirmed its readiness to provide political and material support to the island nation. Moscow has repeatedly supplied oil to the island in recent years and intends to continue doing so, Russian Ambassador to Cuba Viktor Koronelli stated, according to RBK.
