The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Cuba, advising against all but essential travel to the island. The warning, issued late on Wednesday 11 February, effectively renders standard travel insurance invalid for new trips to Cuba, though those already there can still claim while making arrangements to leave.
The advisory comes as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages, leading to widespread power outages and disruption to essential services. The island's aviation authorities have warned that no jet fuel will be available until at least 5am GMT on Wednesday 11 March, causing dozens of flight cancellations. Airlines such as Air Canada have suspended their entire weekly programme of 32 flights between Canada and Cuba, while others are tankering extra fuel or making technical stops to ensure return journeys.
British travellers currently in Cuba are urged to carefully consider if their presence is essential. The Foreign Office advises conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and being prepared for significant disruption. It also warns that flight schedules are being disrupted, risking visitors being unable to leave the country.
The fuel crisis stems from tougher US sanctions, including an executive order by President Donald Trump imposing punitive tariffs on any country that provides oil to Cuba. This has cut off key supplies, particularly after the US seizure of Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, a major source of Cuba's oil. Mexican suppliers had begun to fill the gap, but the new US measures have dried up those supplies.
European airlines, including Iberia, Air France, Turkish Airlines and Rossiya, continue to operate flights to Cuba but are likely to make technical stops to refuel on return legs. For example, an Air France flight from Havana to Paris departed early to refuel in Nassau, Bahamas, arriving on schedule.
