"Cuba's rapidly worsening situation follows a move by the Trump administration last month that in effect introduced an oil blockade on the island. The last known delivery came via a tanker from Mexico in early January, but Mexico halted exports amid US pressure. At the same time, crude flows from Venezuela have dried up following a US operation in January that resulted in the capture of Nicolas Maduro, cutting off support from Cuba's most trusted energy supplier."
"Russia's aviation authorities said on Wednesday that two of its airlines serving the Caribbean island would operate outbound-only flights to bring tourists home before suspending services. Cuban aviation authorities had warned that the country was running out of jet fuel, threatening to derail its crucial tourism industry. Canada's flag carrier said it would temporarily halt flights because of the fuel crisis, while several other airlines said they were rerouting planes to refuel at neighbouring Caribbean airports."
"Russia's tourism board said about 4,000 Russian tourists were currently in Cuba. Many of them are state employees; Cuba, a longtime Kremlin ally, remains one of the few destinations Russian officials are allowed to visit under strict security service travel rules. The tourism board said all future tourist packages would be suspended. In online chat groups, Russians remaining on the island complained about fuel rationing and cuts to public transport as shortages deepened."
Russia plans to evacuate about 4,000 Russian tourists from Cuba within days as a severe jet-fuel shortage threatens the island's tourism industry. Two Russian airlines will operate outbound-only flights to return tourists before suspending services, while Canada's flag carrier and several other airlines have halted or rerouted flights to refuel. Many Russian visitors are state employees; all future Russian tourist packages have been suspended. Fuel rationing has led to cuts in public transport and relocations to lower-grade hotels. The shortages follow US pressure that halted Mexican oil shipments and a January operation that cut Venezuelan crude flows, isolating Cuba's energy supplies.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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