Air France will suspend flights to Havana in new blow to Cuba's tourism sector

The fuel shortages and airline suspensions now affecting Cuba are the latest signs of a deeper geopolitical and economic struggle that has shaped the island for more than six decades.

The conflict traces back to the Cuban Revolution of 1959 , when Fidel Castro overthrew the US-backed government of Fulgencio Batista and established a socialist state. Soon after, Cuba nationalised industries owned by American companies, prompting Washington to impose the US economic embargo on Cuba , a sweeping sanctions regime that still restricts trade, finance and investment.

Tensions intensified during the Cold War, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, when the Soviet Union deployed nuclear missiles on the island. Although war was avoided, relations between Washington and Havana remained hostile.

Supporters of sanctions say they are meant to pressure Cuba’s leadership toward political reform. Critics argue the measures have largely hurt ordinary citizens while doing little to change the political system. Many countries have repeatedly called for the embargo to end.

Cuba’s economic problems also stem from internal weaknesses and the loss of external support. The collapse of the Soviet Union removed a crucial financial lifeline. In recent years the island has depended heavily on oil shipments from Venezuela , but those supplies have declined amid Venezuela’s own crisis.

Tourism is one of Cuba’s main sources of foreign currency. When airlines suspend flights due to fuel shortages or instability, visitor numbers drop, reducing income needed to import essential goods.