GB NEWS
By Oliver Partridge,
Published: 13/02/2026
Updated: 13/02/2026
Fuel shortages are expected to be in place until March 11
Britons travelling to and from a Caribbean hotspot risk becoming stranded after all airports on the island nation reported having no aviation fuel.
The UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) issued new travel advice for Cuba as a major fuel shortage grips the nation.
The FCDO advises against "all but essential travel to Cuba", warning all nine of the country's airports are suffering power outages and fuel shortages as fallout from US interference.
It said: "Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent power outages across the country, and fuel shortages.
"These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.
"Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations to conserve severely limited energy supplies."
It continued: "Cuban authorities have announced that all nine of its international airports are without aviation fuel at this time.
"Some airlines are reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country, although other operators are continuing their services through using refuelling stops.
Britons are advised to avoid Cuba at all costs | GETTY IMAGES"If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential.
"Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.
"If you are considering your options for leaving Cuba, check for messaging from your airline or tour operator for up-to-date information."
The advice comes as Cuba appears to be nearing paralysis as a result of tougher US sanctions.
Dozens of flights to and from Havana and other Cuban airports have been cancelled after the island’s aviation authorities warned that no fuel is available for the next month.
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All of Cuba has been flagged with a travel advice warning
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Foreign Office
Following the US seizure in January of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, a key source of Cuba’s oil was interrupted.
Mexican suppliers began to make up the shortfall, but in an executive order that took effect on January 30, Donald Trump claimed: “The policies, practices, and actions of the government of Cuba directly threaten the safety, national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
The US President said that punitive tariffs would be imposed on any “country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba” – as a result, supplies have dried up.
Considering its size and location, Cuba has relatively few flights – now they have just become even more scarce.
The island’s aviation authorities have warned in a Notice to Air Missions that “Jet A1 Fuel Not Avbl [available]” until 5am on Wednesday, March 11.
The warning applies to the Cuban airports of Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco and others.
Following the release of the travel advice, a fire broke out on Friday at a refinery in Cuba's capital, threatening to compound the island nation's struggles.
A massive column of smoke rose from the Nico Lopez refinery in Havana Bay, though it was not known if the blaze was near the plant's oil storage tanks.
The Caribbean country of 9.6 million inhabitants lost its main oil supply line when Trump last month ordered the ouster of Nicolas Maduro, the long-term leader of Cuban ally Venezuela.
Trump said no more Venezuelan oil would go to Cuba, and also threatened tariffs for any other country stepping in with crude supplies.
The island, under a US trade embargo since 1962, has for years been mired in a severe economic crisis marked by extended power cuts and shortages of fuel, medicine and food.
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban immigrants, have made no secret of their desire to bring about regime change in Havana.
The Republican leader has said Cuba is "ready to fall".
Emergency measures kicked in this week to conserve Cuba's fast-dwindling fuel stocks. The Government shuttered universities, reduced school hours and the work week, and slashed public transport as it limited fuel sales.
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The FCDO advises against "all but essential travel to Cuba", warning all nine of the country's airports are suffering power outages and fuel shortages as fallout from US interference.
It said: "Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent power outages across the country, and fuel shortages.
"These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.
"Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations to conserve severely limited energy supplies."
It continued: "Cuban authorities have announced that all nine of its international airports are without aviation fuel at this time.
"Some airlines are reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services which risk visitors being unable to leave the country, although other operators are continuing their services through using refuelling stops.
"If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential.
"Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption.
"If you are considering your options for leaving Cuba, check for messaging from your airline or tour operator for up-to-date information."
The advice comes as Cuba appears to be nearing paralysis as a result of tougher US sanctions.
Dozens of flights to and from Havana and other Cuban airports have been cancelled after the island’s aviation authorities warned that no fuel is available for the next month.
All of Cuba has been flagged with a travel advice warning
Foreign Office
Following the US seizure in January of the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, a key source of Cuba’s oil was interrupted.
Mexican suppliers began to make up the shortfall, but in an executive order that took effect on January 30, Donald Trump claimed: “The policies, practices, and actions of the government of Cuba directly threaten the safety, national security and foreign policy of the United States.”
The US President said that punitive tariffs would be imposed on any “country that directly or indirectly sells or otherwise provides any oil to Cuba” – as a result, supplies have dried up.
Considering its size and location, Cuba has relatively few flights – now they have just become even more scarce.
The island’s aviation authorities have warned in a Notice to Air Missions that “Jet A1 Fuel Not Avbl [available]” until 5am on Wednesday, March 11.
The warning applies to the Cuban airports of Havana, Varadero, Santiago de Cuba, Holguin, Santa Clara, Cayo Coco and others.
Following the release of the travel advice, a fire broke out on Friday at a refinery in Cuba's capital, threatening to compound the island nation's struggles.
A massive column of smoke rose from the Nico Lopez refinery in Havana Bay, though it was not known if the blaze was near the plant's oil storage tanks.
The Caribbean country of 9.6 million inhabitants lost its main oil supply line when Trump last month ordered the ouster of Nicolas Maduro, the long-term leader of Cuban ally Venezuela.
Trump said no more Venezuelan oil would go to Cuba, and also threatened tariffs for any other country stepping in with crude supplies.
The island, under a US trade embargo since 1962, has for years been mired in a severe economic crisis marked by extended power cuts and shortages of fuel, medicine and food.
Trump and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Miami-born son of Cuban immigrants, have made no secret of their desire to bring about regime change in Havana.
The Republican leader has said Cuba is "ready to fall".
Emergency measures kicked in this week to conserve Cuba's fast-dwindling fuel stocks. The Government shuttered universities, reduced school hours and the work week, and slashed public transport as it limited fuel sales.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
