Havana (EFE).- The Government of Cuba announced the suspension of flights between Cuba and Argentina due, as it explained, to the “refusal” of the South American country’s oil company to supply fuel to its planes in application of state sanctions. United against the island.
“As a result, Cubana de Aviación has been forced to suspend regular flights between Cuba and Argentina, which had been maintained for 39 years,” explained the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minrex).
The Cuban Government accused this “arbitrary measure” of the majority state-owned Argentine company Yacimientos Petrolificadores Fiscales (YPF). In his opinion, it is an “obvious demonstration” of the validity of Washington’s “genocidal blockade” against Cuba, but also of its extraterritorial and illegal nature.
“It is contradictory that freedom is proclaimed at all costs while the freedom of a company that rigorously complies with the regulatory provisions of Argentina and the International Civil Aviation Organization is limited,” argued the Minrex.
For Cuba, YPF’s decision is a “violation” of Argentine laws
Cuba alleged that YPF’s decision, which “harms” even passengers with tickets on the Havana-Buenos Aires route, represents a breach of the contract between the oil company and Cubana de Aviación. Furthermore, it is a violation of Argentine laws themselves.
The Minrex assured that the state airline sought “innumerable alternatives to maintain the operations that were already planned and authorized,” such as hiring other companies to cover those flights. But he regretted not having received “a satisfactory response that would ensure the sale of fuel.”
He added that Cubana de Aviación has especially suffered from the tightening of US sanctions against the island in recent years, as well as its inclusion on the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.
“Cuba will continue to denounce cases of extraterritorial application of the blockade and demand the end of this illegal policy, which constitutes a flagrant violation of International Law and attracts the overwhelming rejection of the international community,” the statement concludes.
Cancellation of flights between Havana and Buenos Aires
On April 24, the Cuban state airline announced the temporary cancellation of flights between Havana and Buenos Aires both on that date and on the previous day, alleging the refusal to serve fuel from supplier companies in the South American country.
Cubana de Aviación then stated in a statement that the companies invoked “provisions of the United States blockade measures against Cuba” to not supply fuel to their aircraft.
The airline resumed its connection between Havana and Buenos Aires in May 2023 after the stoppage forced by covid-19. It also restarted flights from Argentina with a stop at the tourist destination of Cayo Coco and final destination in Havana with a rented aircraft.
Between January and March 2024, the number of Argentine travelers to Cuba increased by 44% compared to the same period of the previous year, reaching 12,753 people.
This is the first encounter between the Cuban Government and the administration of the far-right president of Argentina, Javier Milei, since the latter took office last December.
Cuba was one of the few countries in the region that did not congratulate the current Argentine president after achieving the Presidency in November 2023.
