Cuba has been grappling with a critical fuel shortage owing to the US energy embargo that has severely impacted its economy. On February 8, 2026, Cuban aviation authorities announced that aircraft destined for Havana would not be able to refuel due to a lack of kerosene at the country's nine international airports. This crisis comes amid ongoing US economic pressure, which has led to emergency measures including the shuttering of universities and a reduction in public transport services. The situation has escalated, raising alarm among residents and prompting discussions on how the Cuban government might navigate the crisis. The current situation is a result of long-standing relations between Cuba and the US, which have been strained since the 1960s, when the US imposed a trade embargo aimed at pressuring the Cuban government, particularly after the Cuban Revolution. The restrictions have continued over decades, with former President Donald Trump reinstating harsher regulations, including the threat of tariffs on countries that provide oil to Cuba. In recent months, Cuba has also become more dependent on oil supplies from Venezuela, which have now been cut off due to political instability and military actions against its leadership. In response to the situation, Cuban officials have expressed their grievances, denouncing the US's policies as acts of