Air Canada has cancelled all flights to Cuba after Cuban authorities announced a shortage of aviation fuel. This fuel crisis is a direct result of the US oil blockade on Cuba. The airline plans to fly back 3,000 stranded passengers. Cuba’s sunny beaches attract many Canadian tourists during winter and are a major source of foreign money for the Cuban government. Airlines from Russia, China, Turkey, France, and Spain are also affected by the fuel shortage. The US government threatens countries that supply oil to Cuba with higher tariffs, calling Cuba a national security threat. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum criticised the US policy, calling it “very unjust” and said, “You can’t strangle a nation in this way.” Mexico sent 800 tons of humanitarian aid to Cuba and is working on ways to send oil. On Sunday, airlines received a warning that Cuban fuel supplies would be limited until at least March 11. This came after Cuba had told people flights would continue normally. Following the warning, some passengers in Moscow flying to Cuba were rerouted to China, Egypt, or Turkey. Russia’s airline Rossiya will keep flights but might change routes for refuelling. About 4,500 Russian tourists are in Cuba, mostly state workers. A Cuban tour guide said the tourism situation was “generally manageable,” with hotels still offering electricity and taxis with fuel. European airlines are adjusting too; Air Europa plans to refuel in the Dominican Republic. Air Transat said it will continue flights with contingency stops if needed. The fuel shortage hits Cuba’s tourism hard. Before, Cuba earned over $3 billion a year from tourism, but now earnings have dropped below $1 billion. Tourists are being moved to fewer hotels to save energy. Canadian tourists expressed concern for Cuban workers losing jobs but remained hopeful. Travel agents say current tourists are fine. But gas stations in Cuba are closed and fewer cars are on the roads. Cubans must use an app to get fuel, and many find it difficult. Some rely on hitchhiking due to the shortage. A British visitor said, “Cuba is the most beautiful place,” and hopes the Cuban spirit will overcome the US economic pressure.