Fuel Crisis in Cuba

The fuel crisis in Cuba is an energy and transportation-related supply issue that became evident in early 2026 due to disruptions in the supply of petroleum products, particularly jet fuel, leading to the suspension of fueling operations for international airlines at Cuban airports.

The fuel crisis in Cuba became visible in early 2026 through interruptions in jet fuel supply that directly affected the country’s civil aviation system. The crisis gained public attention when fueling operations for international airlines at Cuban airports were suspended. This development has been linked to a severe depletion of aviation fuel reserves in the country.

The disruptions in jet fuel supply were implemented at major international airports in Cuba, including Havana. Official statements indicated that existing fuel stocks were limited and that refueling had been temporarily halted. The measure directly impacted flights operated by foreign airlines to Cuba.

The emergence of the fuel crisis coincided with concurrent developments in energy supply, foreign trade and international transportation. The crisis process continued in parallel with technical, administrative and diplomatic explanations as of February 2026.

Cuba’s aviation fuel supply is largely dependent on imports. Domestic jet fuel production operates at limited capacity, and a significant portion of the aviation sector’s needs are met through external sources. This dependency has made the country’s air transport system vulnerable to disruptions in the fuel supply chain.

Delays in jet fuel shipments at the beginning of 2026 caused fuel stocks at airport depots to fall to critical levels. Authorities stated that available fuel was being reserved exclusively for essential and priority flights. As a result, fuel supply for international commercial flights was suspended.

Technical problems emerged in the processes of transporting, storing and distributing fuel to the country. Irregularities in sea-based fuel shipments disrupted refueling schedules. This situation compromised the continuity of aviation fuel supply.

Following the suspension of fueling operations, several international airlines operating flights to Cuba halted their services. Airlines announced that they had suspended operations due to their inability to obtain jet fuel at Cuban airports. These decisions were directly attributed to the fuel supply interruption.

The suspension of flights led to a decline in air traffic between Cuba and North America and Europe. Some airlines announced the cancellations as temporary measures. Cuban civil aviation authorities stated that the suspension would remain in effect until fuel supply was restored.

These developments in the aviation sector highlighted the direct dependence of air transport continuity on fuel supply. Flight schedules were reorganized based on the availability of existing fuel stocks.

Following public awareness of the fuel crisis, the Cuban government issued several statements. The Havana administration linked the fuel shortage to international economic and trade restrictions. The statements emphasized financial and logistical barriers affecting energy imports.

During this period, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China announced its readiness to provide support to Cuba regarding the jet fuel shortage. Chinese officials stated their openness to cooperation with Cuba in the energy sector. The statement underscored the international dimension of the crisis.

The Russian Federation also made statements regarding the fuel situation in Cuba. Russian officials noted that fuel levels in the country were in a critical state. The Cuban government continued to attribute the crisis to external factors in its official communications.

International news agencies and media outlets reported on the fuel crisis in Cuba through the lens of aviation disruptions. Reports highlighted that foreign airlines had suspended flights due to jet fuel shortages and detailed Cuba’s broader energy supply challenges.

Some reports framed the fuel crisis within the context of the long-standing economic relations between the United States and Cuba. The difficulties in securing fuel were linked to challenges in importing petroleum and its derivatives. The crisis was defined primarily through the lens of air transport.

Media coverage also reported that the suspension of fueling at Cuban airports had affected tourism and transportation activities. However, official statements indicating the temporary nature of the measures were also included in the reports.

On 13 February 2026, a major fire broke out at a key oil refinery in Havana, the capital of Cuba. The next day, international news sources reported live coverage stating that a fire had occurred at a refinery in Havana. The affected facility is a strategic infrastructure component directly impacting the country’s fuel production. Throughout the night of the incident, vertical and horizontal flames were observed, accompanied by thick smoke plumes surrounding the site.

Firefighting efforts began immediately after the fire erupted. Local emergency response teams and fire units were reported to have intervened against the flames. The rapid spread of the fire across the refinery’s extensive infrastructure necessitated a large-scale operation. Such large-scale refinery fires require coordinated efforts between fire brigades and local security units.

The refinery, critical to Cuba’s fuel production, sustained damage in multiple sections. These damages reduced the facility’s production capacity and disrupted its operational schedule.

Cuban authorities deployed specialized teams to respond to the fire. In the initial phase, numerous fire trucks were dispatched to the site to bring the blaze under control. Additionally, the facility’s emergency response units and environmental safety teams were mobilized to support the operation.

Firefighting efforts continued throughout the night. Local sources reported that firefighters demonstrated extensive efforts to contain the blaze and safeguard critical infrastructure essential to maintaining operations at the site. It was reported that emergency teams exerted intense effort in combating the fire and brought it under control in specific areas.

Some units within the refinery were damaged by the fire, prolonging the duration of the firefighting operation. State officials were reported to have closely monitored the suppression efforts and ensured coordination at the incident site.

Production activities at the refinery where the fire occurred were halted. This disruption added further strain to Cuba’s energy and fuel supply chain, which was already struggling with an existing fuel shortage. The shutdown of the refinery’s output further reduced the availability of fuel for domestic economic activities.

The refinery’s production capacity falling below expected levels affected fuel availability nationwide. The population, already facing fuel shortages, was reported to have been further burdened by this development. Uncertainty persisted regarding when the refinery’s operations would return to normal.

Due to a partial collapse of the National Electro-Energy System (SEN), Cuba decided to implement mandatory power outages across approximately 70% of the country. The development was linked to long-standing energy supply issues, insufficient fuel supplies and the impact of U.S. sanctions on the country’s energy infrastructure.

In a statement by the Cuban Ministry of Energy and Mines, it was reported that a portion of the national electricity grid had been taken offline and that significant losses in energy generation capacity had occurred. According to the statement, planned power outages would be implemented across approximately 70% of the country during peak hours of electricity demand.

The ministry’s statement noted that Unit 6 of the Nuevitas Thermal Power Plant and Unit 3 of the Rente Power Plant had been taken offline. It was also stated that the fuel oil plant had been disconnected from the National Energy System.

In addition to these developments, it was reported that nine of the 16 thermal power units in the country were offline due to malfunctions or maintenance work. The capacity loss in energy generation was identified as the primary cause of nationwide outages.

Reports in the Cuban press identified fuel shortages and difficulties in acquiring spare parts for power plants due to the U.S. embargo as primary causes of the national electricity system’s problems.

On 30 January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing additional customs duties on goods imported from countries that sell or supply oil to Cuba. The White House defended the decision as aimed at protecting U.S. national security and foreign policy interests against Cuba’s “harmful actions and policies.” The Trump administration announced on 1 February 2026 that discussions had begun regarding oil supply arrangements with Cuba, a claim rejected by the Havana government.

In anticipation of possible disruptions to foreign oil supplies, the Cuban government activated emergency packages to promote energy conservation and restrict fuel usage. It was noted that the power outages significantly affected industrial production, transportation and daily life, with the energy crisis directly impacting everyday life in many regions, including the capital Havana.

Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), John Ratcliffe, visited Cuba on 14 May 2026. During his meetings in Havana with senior Cuban security and intelligence officials, it was reported that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed its openness to cooperation in economic and security matters, contingent upon Cuba implementing fundamental political changes.

It was reported that during the talks, Ratcliffe emphasized that Cuba must cease serving as a “safe haven” for actors hostile to the United States in the Western Hemisphere. The U.S. side reportedly raised issues of intelligence cooperation, economic stability and regional security. The Cuban government, in response, asserted that Havana does not constitute a threat to U.S. national security and expressed interest in developing cooperation between the law enforcement agencies of the two countries.

Ratcliffe’s visit attracted attention as it occurred during a period when the Trump administration was maintaining a fuel blockade against Cuba and the country was enduring a severe energy crisis. Protests were reported in Havana due to power outages and economic hardship, while the United States offered $100 million in humanitarian aid through the Catholic Church and aid organizations.

Ratcliffe’s visit to Cuba was regarded as a “rare” high-level intelligence contact due to the long-standing diplomatic and security tensions between the United States and Cuba. It was recalled that former U.S. President Barack Obama’s CIA Director John Brennan had also visited Cuba, but that such contacts had not led to lasting diplomatic transformation.