Fuel Crisis Clouds Spring Travel to Cuba, Agents Warn

Travelers planning a Cuban getaway this spring face significant uncertainty due to the island's deepening fuel shortage. Elena Lapina, a travel agent specializing in Cuba, told reporters that the risk of last-minute tour and flight cancellations in March and April remains acute. She stopped short of advising against travel, but stressed that each tourist must weigh the potential for disruption. For those with existing bookings, Lapina strongly recommended purchasing cancellation insurance. While acknowledging that Russian tourists are anxious, she noted there has not yet been a wave of trip cancellations. Travelers who cancel themselves currently face steep penalties, she explained. A better approach, according to Lapina, is to wait and see if the tour operator cancels first, which would allow for a full refund. The fuel crisis, a long-standing issue, has worsened since Venezuela halted oil shipments to Cuba. The situation was further complicated in late January when U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing for tariffs on nations that sell or supply oil to Cuba, declaring a national emergency over Havana's alleged threat.