Cuba is warning airlines that it will no longer be able to supply fuel, beginning Monday, as President Trump uses economic levers to cut off the communist island’s energy supplies.
Cuban authorities issued the warning in a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) that is valid until March 11, according to the EFE news agency.
“JET A1 FUEL NOT AVBL,” the coded message says.
The report says the shortage will impact airports across the island and force American, Spanish, Panamanian and Mexican airlines to consider new routes or fueling methods.
Cuba’s energy shortage stems from Mr. Trump’s crackdown on the communist leadership of the island following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on Jan. 3.
Mr. Maduro and his oil-rich nation were a major supplier of oil to Cuba.
On Jan. 29, Mr. Trump cut off alternate oil supplies to Cuba by threatening to impose 30% tariffs on the goods of any nation that sends oil to the island.
Mexico halted oil shipments to Cuba to avoid economic shocks from the tariffs imposed by the U.S. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum is worried about a humanitarian crisis on the island, however.
Mr. Trump says he wants to make a deal with the Cuban government to make it a freer nation.
“Cuba is a failing nation. It has been for a long time, but now it doesn’t have Venezuela to prop it up,” he said. “So we’re talking to the people from Cuba, the highest people in Cuba, to see what happens.”
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said this month that his country is willing to negotiate with the U.S. “without pressure or preconditions.”
He also condemned economic pressure from the U.S. and said the American side must respect Cuba’s sovereignty during any talks.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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