While Canadians in Cuba are waiting for flights home as an energy crisis worsens within the nation amid a U.S. oil blockade, those that send aid are struggling to achieve this.
Cuba warned international airlines on Feb. 9 that aviation fuel would now not be available on the island, starting Feb. 10, in the most recent sign of fast-worsening conditions as america moves to chop off the communist-run nation’s oil supply.
Major Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat, have already suspended service to Cuba. All three airlines have confirmed they plan to bring travellers back home to Canada.
Calgary-based WestJet says its decision to wind down winter operations will affect WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacances WestJet Quebec.
Air Canada has said its decision to cancel service to Cuba comes after “following advisories issued by governments regarding the unreliability of the aviation fuel supply at Cuban airports.”
Jennifer Raymer, director of Together for Cuba, hugging a lady on the communist island nation.
Supplied by Jennifer Raymer
Venezuela has historically been a serious supplier of oil to Cuba but in early 2026, ceased those oil exports because of this of recent geopolitical turmoil after it was taken over by america.
The Trump administration is cutting Cuba off from using its traditional fuel sources in an effort to place pressure on the island nation off the coast of Florida, which has been under strict economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. government for a long time.
Amid the efforts to get Canadians out, those that provide charitable aid say they at the moment are struggling to send that in.
“The Cuban individuals are devastated,” said Jennifer Raymer, the director of Together for Cuba. “They depend on tourists coming down there, obviously, for employment and taxi services and hotels and food and, you already know, Canadians are known to bring aid.”
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The Ontario-based aid agency sends 600 large duffle bags, weighing about 14,000 kg, full of medication, surgical supplies and other medical aid to Cuba every year.
Jennifer Raymer, director of Together for Cuba, with a volunteer delivering duffel bags of aid to the Caribbean nation.
Supplied by Jennifer Raymer
“I knew that as soon as this all got here down — that every one the airlines would stop — we can be stuck here in Canada without having the ability to get the help in. I haven’t slept since yesterday.”
Halting shipments will make life even harder within the impoverished island nation.
“The Cuban individuals are going to have an excellent harder struggle. A whole lot of our medical bags include prescription medication for heart and diabetes and various things, and in addition to surgical bags. These bags are life-saving,” Raymer said.
A sick woman grateful to be receiving aid from Canadian humanitarian group “Together for Cuba.”
Supplied by Jennifer Raymer
Because the airlines wind down their operations to Cuba, Raymer hoped considered one of them would conform to take the medical supplies on considered one of the empty flights being sent to Cuba to evacuate the greater than 7,000 stranded Canadian tourists.
Thus far, none have stepped up.
“It means that individuals can’t have surgeries or get the medications that they need. There are surgical packs in there that individuals are waiting for, and now they’re sitting in London, Ont.,” Raymer said.
“We’re struggling to seek out a option to get them out.”
A sick man receiving aid from Canadian humanitarian group “Together for Cuba.”
Supplied by Jennifer Raymer
NDP interim leader Don Davies said Tuesday that Canada must provide immediate support to Cuba within the face of “escalating aggression” from the Trump administration.
“Recent U.S. actions are scary a severe humanitarian crisis and disrupting travel across the region, leaving Canadians stranded as airlines suspend flights,” Davies said in a press release.
“By threatening tariffs on any third country that transports fuel to the island, the Trump administration is expanding U.S. economic coercion in dangerous recent ways.”
Davies argued that Prime Minister Mark Carney has remained “silent” within the face of Trump’s aggression towards Cuba.
“Canada must stand with the Cuban people and resist the Trump administration’s aggression clearly and directly. This can be a defining test of principle and we must not fail it,” he said.
Together for Cuba volunteers at a medical clinic on the Caribbean nation.
Supplied by Jennifer Raymer
–with files from The Canadian Press
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