Sweden Advises Against Non‑Essential Travel to Cuba Over Power, Fuel Shortages

Sweden’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs updated its guidance on 12 February to advise Swedish citizens against non-essential travel to Cuba, citing a deteriorating situation that could affect tourists and residents alike. The advisory covers all non-essential travel, including tourist and visitor trips, and is in effect until further notice.

"The acute fuel shortage and recurring longer power outages are affecting access to basic goods, healthcare, emergency transport and other infrastructure," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs writes in a press release. Krisinformation Se, the Swedish civil information channel, framed the decision in starker terms: "Cuba is going through a severe economic crisis affecting all aspects of Cuban society. Daily power outages occur throughout the country. There are major shortages of basic products such as food, medicines, and fuel. This also affects tourists, whose travel plans may change at short notice."

Sweden Herald, citing TT News Agency, reported an additional operational risk earlier in the week: Cuban authorities warned foreign airlines that the country had run out of fuel and that planes could not refuel if they landed. That warning, if confirmed, poses an immediate disruption for scheduled flights and for travellers already on the island.

The ministry says it is following developments together with the Swedish embassy in Havana. Krisinformation Se directs Swedish nationals to the embassy for further information; the embassy’s public guidance is available in Swedish. The advisory does not list numeric thresholds or a review date, and the ministry described the measure as in effect "until further notice."

For readers planning travel, the practical implications are clear. Expect possible last-minute changes to flights and itineraries, reduced availability of basic goods and medicines, and interruptions to emergency transport and local healthcare services. Tour operators and airlines may alter schedules in response to fuel availability and local infrastructure constraints, and travellers already in Cuba should verify arrangements with carriers and their accommodation.

The advisory follows a trend of governments using travel guidance to flag wider infrastructure and supply problems rather than isolated safety incidents. For now, Swedish nationals and other travellers should monitor updates from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Krisinformation Se, check the Swedish embassy in Havana for consular information, and prepare for potential disruptions to travel plans. Authorities in Havana and airline operators have not been quoted directly in the Swedish statements provided; further confirmation from Cuban authorities and carriers will be key to understanding next steps.