BERLIN, Feb 11, (V7N) — Germany has issued an advisory warning its citizens not to undertake non-essential travel to Cuba due to a deepening energy crisis that has disrupted daily life and infrastructure across the Caribbean island.

The advisory highlighted an acute fuel and electricity shortage, worsened by years of weak infrastructure and recent geopolitical pressures, including the suspension of oil shipments from Venezuela. German authorities said Cuba is facing “significant shortages in energy and fuel supplies, which are affecting all areas of life”, including healthcare and essential services.

Among the crisis impacts mentioned in the travel bulletin:

Foreign aircraft cannot currently refuel in Cuba, disrupting flight operations and prompting some airlines — including Air Canada — to suspend services due to a lack of fuel.

Several hotels have already closed, raising concerns for tourists and travel services.

Public transport, street lighting, traffic signals, ATMs, communication systems and security networks may fail or are already highly restricted, the advisory said.

Cuba’s power plants are struggling to keep the lights on, and emergency measures such as reduced work weeks for state companies and fuel rationing have been introduced to cope with the shortages.

The root of the crisis stems from a halt in oil deliveries — historically provided by Venezuela — after the United States tightened pressure on Havana’s external energy sources following its military intervention against Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this year.

The Cuban government has accused the United States of attempting to “strangle” the island’s economy, deepening recurrent power cuts and fuel scarcity that have worsened in recent months.

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