All British travellers have been prohibited from visiting a popular Caribbean destination, as the Foreign Office issues an urgent warning.

The Foreign Office has cautioned against "all but essential travel to Cuba" owing to extensive power cuts and fuel shortages plaguing the island. Consequently, flights have been drastically disrupted, with numerous cancellations, whilst Cuba battles to deliver dependable transport.

With its tropical climate and sandy shores, Cuba has frequently been an appealing destination for Britons seeking a sun-drenched escape, especially during the winter period. However, owing to its continuing fuel crisis, holidaymakers cannot reach the island, effectively banning all travel from Britain.

In a statement released on Wednesday, 11 February, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said: "Cuba is experiencing severe and worsening disruption to essential infrastructure, persistent nationwide power outages and fuel shortages. These conditions significantly affect the ability of visitors to access reliable transport, medical care, communications, and basic services.

"Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made temporary changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations in order to conserve severely limited energy supplies."

"Flight schedules are also being disrupted due to aviation fuel shortages, with some airlines reviewing routes or temporarily cancelling services, which risk visitors being unable to leave the country."

For anyone presently in Cuba, the FCDO advised to "carefully consider if your presence is essential". They recommended taking precautions, "by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption", whilst also contacting your airline and tour operator.

On Monday, Air Canada confirmed that all flights to Cuba were suspended as it attempted to evacuate approximately 3,000 holidaymakers from the island. Meanwhile, additional Canadian airlines, Air Transat and Westjet, also confirmed their flights to Cuba were being suspended.

Although no direct flights operate between the UK and Cuba, the decision will affect a number of specialist tour operators that offer the destination through airlines that route via third countries, including the UK travel company Trailfinders. Other operators impacted include Simply Cuba, Love Cuba, Cox and Kings, Exodus and Intrepid Travel.

The substantial impact on travel follows the confiscation of Venezuelan oil tankers by the President Donald Trump administration team. Cuba depends heavily on Venezuela for much of its fuel and has been in short supply since December, when it was blocked by the US.

According to a Notice to Aviation (NOTAM), aviation fuel will not be commercially available at the airports in Cuba until at least March 11, 2026. The Caribbean island has also experienced power cuts as it grapples with a shortage of fuel and electricity.