Thousands of Canadians remain stranded in Cuba as an escalating energy crisis disrupts flights home, while humanitarian aid faces major delivery hurdles.
Cuba issued warnings to international airlines on February 9, stating that aviation fuel would no longer be available starting February 10. This development highlights the rapid deterioration of conditions on the island, driven by efforts to sever its oil supply.
Major Airlines Suspend Cuba Routes
Leading Canadian carriers, including Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat, have halted services to Cuba. Each airline confirms plans to repatriate stranded passengers back to Canada.
WestJet, based in Calgary, notes that its suspension impacts WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec operations for the winter season.
Air Canada cited government advisories on unreliable aviation fuel supplies at Cuban airports as the reason for canceling flights.
Venezuela, a key historical oil provider to Cuba, stopped exports in early 2026 amid geopolitical upheaval following U.S. involvement. The moves aim to intensify pressure on the island nation, long subject to U.S. economic sanctions.
Aid Shipments Blocked by Crisis
More than 7,000 Canadian tourists await evacuation as airlines reduce operations. Meanwhile, aid groups struggle to deliver essential supplies.
“The Cuban people are devastated,” stated Jennifer Raymer, director of Together for Cuba, an Ontario-based organization. “They rely on tourists for employment in taxis, hotels, food services, and Canadians often bring aid.”
The group ships 600 large duffle bags—totaling about 14,000 kg—of medicines, surgical supplies, and medical aid annually to Cuba.
“I knew that as soon as airlines stopped, we would be stuck without getting aid in. I haven’t slept since yesterday,” Raymer added.
Halting these shipments exacerbates hardships in the nation. “The Cuban people face an even harder struggle. Many bags contain prescription medications for heart conditions, diabetes, and surgical kits that are life-saving,” she explained.
Raymer hopes airlines will carry the supplies on empty repatriation flights, but none have agreed so far. “It means people can’t have surgeries or get needed medications. Surgical packs sit unused in London, Ontario,” she said.
Calls for Canadian Government Action
NDP interim leader Don Davies urged immediate Canadian support for Cuba amid what he described as escalating U.S. aggression.
“Recent U.S. actions provoke a severe humanitarian crisis, disrupt regional travel, and strand Canadians as airlines suspend flights,” Davies stated. “Threats of tariffs on third countries transporting fuel expand economic coercion dangerously.”
Davies criticized Prime Minister Mark Carney’s silence and called for Canada to stand with Cubans. “This tests our principles—we must not fail,” he said.
