MONTREAL: Air Canada said it was suspending service to Cuba from Monday due to a lack of guaranteed fuel supply at airports in the country, where US pressure has created an oil crisis.
“It is projected that as of February 10 aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the island’s airports,” Air Canada said in a statement, announcing it would be sending empty flights to Cuba over the coming days to repatriate people already there.
Cuba warned international airlines that jet fuel will no longer be available on the island beginning on Tuesday in the latest sign of fast-worsening conditions as the United States moves to cut off the communist-run nation’s oil supply. The shortfall is set to last from February 10 through March 11, according to a Notice to Aviation (NOTAM) published late on Sunday, and comes just two days after top officials said air travel would not be impacted by a fuel rationing plan announced on Friday.
Cuba has historically relied on Venezuela to provide much of its jet fuel, but the Caribbean island nation has not received any crude or refined products from its top ally since mid-December, when the US moved to block the South American nation’s exports.
US president Donald Trump has since vowed Cuba would receive no more oil from Venezuela and has threatened to slap tariffs on any nation sending fuel to Cuba, effectively cutting off the island’s supply of aviation gas.
Such shortfalls are not new to Cuba and many airlines already have plans in place to deal with them.
A similar crisis last year, as well as others recently, have prompted many carriers to refuel in nearby third countries, including Panama, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic and the United States.
Most airline flights into Havana appeared on time and on schedule on Monday morning.
An early morning COPA airlines flight to Panama departed on time Monday, and several American Airlines flights were slated to arrive later in the day, airport officials confirmed to Reuters.
None of the major carriers servicing Cuba have yet commented on the situation.
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Air Canada suspends Cuba flights citing airport fuel shortage
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Air Canada suspends Cuba flights citing airport fuel shortage
- Jet fuel shortage linked to US blocking Venezuelan oil exports
- Cuba historically relies on Venezuela for jet fuel supply
Jailed Pakistan former PM loses most vision in one eye: lawyer
ISLAMABAD: Jailed former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan has lost most of the vision in his right eye, his lawyer and family have said, raising fresh concerns about his health.
Khan, who is also a former star international cricketer, has been in jail since 2023 and was sentenced late last year along with his wife to 17 years on corruption charges they both deny.
His lawyer, Salman Safdar, visited Khan in jail this week and later submitted a report to Pakistan’s chief justice and the Supreme Court detailing his concerns and requesting treatment for his client.
“One of his eyes has only 15 percent vision,” Safdar told a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
The meeting with Safdar was Khan’s first contact with an outside visitor for several weeks, underscoring concerns raised by his legal team about limited access to Khan.
Safdar said Khan’s eyes were watery and he wiped them repeatedly during their meeting. Khan also complained of persistent irritation and vision problems, he said.
Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, said his father’s condition was the result of “medical neglect” during his confinement .”.. and the deliberate denial of proper treatment in jail.”
“The responsibility lies squarely with the regime in power, the Army Chief and the puppets enabling this cruelty,” Kasim Khan said on social media platform X late on Thursday.
The Supreme Court has already requested a report on Khan’s living conditions in connection with a case that has been pending since 2023.
Authorities had previously confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in January at Islamabad’s government hospital but gave no other details.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said at the time that Khan was “fine and healthy,” while government officials have repeatedly rejected claims that Khan was being mistreated in prison.
However, Safdar said that no meaningful action had been taken despite repeated complaints.
He has not expressed concerns about security but Safdar said in his report to the court that Khan believed his living conditions could be improved.
Khan was prime minister from 2018-22 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis over tensions between his government and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment.
He has since faced multiple legal cases on corruption and other charges.
Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated.
His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.
Khan, who is also a former star international cricketer, has been in jail since 2023 and was sentenced late last year along with his wife to 17 years on corruption charges they both deny.
His lawyer, Salman Safdar, visited Khan in jail this week and later submitted a report to Pakistan’s chief justice and the Supreme Court detailing his concerns and requesting treatment for his client.
“One of his eyes has only 15 percent vision,” Safdar told a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday.
The meeting with Safdar was Khan’s first contact with an outside visitor for several weeks, underscoring concerns raised by his legal team about limited access to Khan.
Safdar said Khan’s eyes were watery and he wiped them repeatedly during their meeting. Khan also complained of persistent irritation and vision problems, he said.
Khan’s son, Kasim Khan, said his father’s condition was the result of “medical neglect” during his confinement .”.. and the deliberate denial of proper treatment in jail.”
“The responsibility lies squarely with the regime in power, the Army Chief and the puppets enabling this cruelty,” Kasim Khan said on social media platform X late on Thursday.
The Supreme Court has already requested a report on Khan’s living conditions in connection with a case that has been pending since 2023.
Authorities had previously confirmed that Khan underwent a 20-minute medical procedure in January at Islamabad’s government hospital but gave no other details.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said at the time that Khan was “fine and healthy,” while government officials have repeatedly rejected claims that Khan was being mistreated in prison.
However, Safdar said that no meaningful action had been taken despite repeated complaints.
He has not expressed concerns about security but Safdar said in his report to the court that Khan believed his living conditions could be improved.
Khan was prime minister from 2018-22 before being removed in a no-confidence vote during a political crisis over tensions between his government and Pakistan’s powerful military establishment.
He has since faced multiple legal cases on corruption and other charges.
Khan and his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, maintain that the cases against him are politically motivated.
His arrest triggered nationwide protests in May 2023, some of which turned violent and led to hundreds of arrests.
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