Cuba's government has declared a halt to the supply of aviation kerosene beginning on Tuesday, October 10, citing a severe energy crisis as the reason. This decision impacts long-haul flights, which will now need to make technical stops en route to refuel. The country is grappling with a critical energy shortage exacerbated by the cessation of petroleum supplies from Venezuela, a consequence of increased U.S. pressures.

In response to the suspension, the Kremlin criticized the tactics employed by the United States, accusing them of suffocating Cuba through economic measures. Furthermore, authorities have notified all airline companies that aviation fuel will be unavailable from midnight on Tuesday. However, regional flights are expected to continue without interruption, with some airlines, like Air France, indicating that they will maintain their routes with necessary refueling stops in other Caribbean nations.

The energy crisis in Cuba is not new, but the recent developments have raised concerns about the future of air travel and tourism in the country. With the potential for international flights to be further disrupted, stakeholders are left contemplating the longer-term implications for the Cuban economy, particularly in light of ongoing U.S. sanctions and the diminishing support from Venezuela.