Canadians are waiting for flights from Cuba, aid is struggling to get in amid the US embargo

While Canadians in Cuba wait for flights home as the nation’s energy crisis worsens amid the US oil embargo, those sending aid are finding it difficult to do so.

Cuba warned international airlines on Feb. 9 that jet fuel will no longer be available on the island, as of February 10, in the latest sign of worsening conditions as the United States tries to cut off the communist-run nation’s oil supply.

Major Canadian airlines, including Air Canada, WestJet and Air Transat, have already suspended operations in Cuba. All three airlines have confirmed they plan to repatriate the travelers to Canada.

Calgary-based WestJet says its decision to suspend winter operations will affect WestJet, Sunwing Vacations, WestJet Vacations, and Vacations WestJet Quebec.

Air Canada said its decision to cancel operations in Cuba comes after “following advice issued by governments regarding the unreliable supply of jet fuel at Cuban airports.”

Historically Venezuela has been a major oil supplier to Cuba but in early 2026, it suspended those oil exports due to the recent geopolitical turmoil after it was annexed by the United States.

The Trump administration is cutting off Cuba from using its traditional oil sources in an effort to put pressure on the island nation off the coast of Florida, which has been under tough economic sanctions imposed by the US government for decades.

2:07
Air Canada is suspending flights to Cuba due to fuel shortages

Amid efforts to evacuate Canadians, those providing aid say they are now struggling to send it.

“The Cuban people are devastated,” said Jennifer Raymer, director of Together for Cuba. “They rely on tourists coming there, obviously, for jobs and taxi services and hotels and food and, you know, Canadians are known to deliver.”

Get the latest country news

For news that affects Canada and the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you as they happen.

The Ontario-based aid agency sends 600 large bags, weighing about 14,000 kg, full of medicine, surgical supplies and other medical aid to Cuba each year.

“I knew that as soon as this all went down – that all the airlines would stop – we would be stuck here in Canada with no help. I haven’t slept since yesterday.”

Stopping exports will make life even more difficult for the impoverished island nation.

“The Cuban people will have an even harder struggle. Many of our medical kits include heart and diabetes medications and other items, as well as surgical kits. These kits save lives,” said Raymer.

As the planes completed their mission to Cuba, Raymer was hoping one of them would agree to take medical supplies from one of the empty planes being sent to Cuba to evacuate the more than 7,000 stranded Canadian tourists.

So far, no one has stepped up.

“It means people can’t get surgery or get the medicine they need. There are surgical packages where people are waiting, and now they’re sitting in London, Ont.,” Raymer said.

“We are fighting to find a way to get them out.”

NDP interim leader Don Davies said Tuesday that Canada must provide immediate support to Cuba in the face of “escalating violence” from the Trump administration.

“Recent US actions are creating a major humanitarian crisis and disrupting travel in the region, leaving Canadians confused as airlines ground flights,” Davies said in a statement.

“By threatening to impose tariffs on any third country that supplies fuel to the island, the Trump administration is expanding the pressure on the US economy in dangerous new ways.”

Davies said Prime Minister Mark Carney has remained “silent” in the face of Trump’s aggression against Cuba.

“Canada must stand with the Cuban people and resist the aggression of the Trump administration clearly and directly. This is a clear test of policy and we must not fail,” he said.

-via files from The Canadian Press

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.