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February 2026 | 9 countries | 33 topics | 544 sources
The United States has tightened sanctions, blocking oil supplies to Cuba and causing a severe fuel shortage. This has led to flight cancellations, economic disruption, and humanitarian warnings, prompting international responses from Russia and Mexico.
In early January 2026, a severe fuel crisis began in Cuba following a series of US actions. On January 3, the US imposed sanctions on oil sent to Cuba after its intervention in Venezuela. This was followed on January 29 by US president Donald Trump issuing an executive order imposing tariffs on countries exporting oil to Cuba. In response, Mexico suspended oil shipments to Cuba on January 27 to avoid these punitive US tariffs.
The crisis escalated throughout February, with the fuel shortage severely disrupting daily life and international travel. By early February, Cuba announced emergency measures to address the energy crisis. The aviation sector was heavily impacted, with Air Canada suspending flights to Cuba on February 9, citing fuel shortages, followed by other Canadian airlines and Russian airliners. A significant turning point occurred on February 13 when a fire broke out at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana, worsening the existing shortage. The crisis led to the indefinite postponement of the Habanos Cigar Festival and caused garbage to pile up in Havana streets due to a lack of collection.
International reactions varied geographically. Russia and China discussed the situations involving Cuba and Venezuela. Russia criticized US sanctions, with Putin meeting Cuban officials, and announced plans to send oil and humanitarian aid while flying its tourists home. Mexico, having suspended commercial oil shipments, sent humanitarian aid ships to Cuba and launched donation drives. From the US, coverage highlighted Trump's actions to cut off Cuba's oil supply, while later reports noted the US allowed the export of Venezuelan oil to Cuba for humanitarian purposes on February 25. European and Nordic commentary framed the crisis as a political opportunity for Trump, and there were international calls for democratic change in Cuba. The situation remained tense, with Russia accusing the US of aggressive actions and US officials considering regime change options for Cuba by late February.
In early January 2026, the US imposed sanctions on oil sent to Cuba following an intervention in Venezuela, triggering a severe fuel crisis. By late January, US President Donald Trump issued an executive order imposing tariffs on countries exporting oil to Cuba, leading Mexico and others to suspend shipments. This caused immediate shortages, disrupting aviation, tourism, and daily life in Cuba.
The crisis prompted varied international reactions. Russia and China discussed the situation, with Russia announcing plans to send oil and fuel as humanitarian aid and flying its tourists home. Mexico sent humanitarian aid ships while confirming it suspended fuel shipments to avoid US tariffs. The UN warned of a humanitarian crisis in Cuba due to the US fuel blockade.
The fuel shortage led to widespread economic and social disruption within Cuba. Major airlines, including Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet, suspended flights, crippling tourism. A fire broke out at the Ñico López Refinery in Havana in mid-February, worsening the crisis. The government implemented rationing, and a garbage crisis emerged in Havana streets due to halted collection services.
The situation escalated regional tensions. In late February, a shoot-out between the Cuban coast guard and a US-registered speedboat resulted in four deaths. Russia accused the US of aggressive actions against Cuba and warned against military actions. Meanwhile, Trump stated the US was in talks with Cuba's leadership, and US officials considered regime change options, highlighting the geopolitical stakes.
US policy showed some adjustment by late February when the United States allowed the export of Venezuelan oil to Cuba for humanitarian purposes. News coverage also noted the US allowed resale of Venezuelan oil to Cuba's private sector. These moves came amid international pressure and warnings about the deepening humanitarian impact of the sanctions.
Cuba entered a severe fuel crisis in early January after US sanctions blocked oil shipments, leading to national mourning for security forces killed in Venezuela, flight cancellations, a refinery fire, rationing, and a garbage crisis, with the US later allowing some Venezuelan oil for humanitarian purposes.