Cuba’s Jet Fuel Crisis Affects Canadian Flights

Canada’s largest airline announced on Monday and Tuesday that it will stop flights to Cuba until further notice. This decision comes after the Cuban government stated it is running low on jet fuel.

Canada has been one of Cuba’s longest-standing economic partners, largely due to the influx of tourists from the island nation. Some estimates suggest that, despite challenges, Canadians are essential to Cuba’s tourism sector, which is heavily government-funded. Yet, the number of workers in this industry has dwindled due to ongoing issues like a power grid crisis, as well as severe shortages of food and medicine, not to mention the crumbling infrastructure in major cities like Havana. Canada’s left-wing governments, especially under previous Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, have historically supported the Communist Party there, with Trudeau famously praising Fidel Castro, a controversial figure in recent history.

The current jet fuel shortage in Cuba seems linked to events in Venezuela, notably the arrest of Nicolás Maduro, who fell from power on January 3. After he and his wife were detained by U.S. forces on drug-terrorism charges, Cuba is now essentially managed by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez. For decades, Venezuela provided Cuba with subsidized oil, but that support is now uncertain. Rodriguez is currently collaborating with the Trump administration to curb oil shipments to Cuba and to revitalize Venezuela’s oil industry, aiming to establish fair pricing.

In response to Maduro’s arrest, President Trump declared, “No more oil or money will go to Cuba, no more!” urging a resolution before it escalates further.

With Venezuela’s oil supplies cut off, Mexico appears to have stepped in as Cuba’s primary oil exporter. Recently, Trump signed an executive order branding the Cuban regime a “national security threat” and targeting its connections to various authoritarian states. The order sets tariffs on nations providing oil to Cuba. Since this directive, Mexico hasn’t officially exported oil to Cuba.

While other allies like North Korea and China have expressed support for Cuba, they don’t have available oil reserves. Mexico has offered humanitarian aid but not fuel, and Russia, although a major oil producer, hasn’t reportedly shipped oil to Cuba recently.

As the situation worsens, the Cuban government alerted international airlines about their jet fuel shortage. Reports indicated that this lack of fuel is set to persist until at least March 11, prompting major Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, to withdraw their flights to Cuba. Air Canada plans to send a fuel-laden plane to assist stranded passengers.

According to a report from Canada’s CBC on Tuesday, all significant Canadian airlines have ceased operations to Cuba, with plans in place to transport around 3,000 individuals back home. Air Canada noted its decision followed a government advisory regarding unreliable fuel supplies at Cuban airports.

The Canadian government’s travel advisory also warned of worsening shortages of basic necessities in Cuba, including electricity, food, and water, which have long troubled the residents there. These shortages may significantly impact the luxury resorts frequented by Canadian tourists.

While the situation is dire for many, Canadian visitors play a crucial role in sustaining Cuba’s economy. Last year, Canadians remained the largest group of tourists to the island, even as the Cuban regime struggled with service maintenance long before Maduro’s arrest. Canada also continues to be part of the Paris Club, which has allowed Cuba to accumulate substantial debts without repayment.