Russia to evacuate tourists from Cuba amid fuel crisis

Russia is preparing to evacuate some of its citizens from Cuba, Moscow's aviation watchdog said Wednesday, after a US-ordered oil blockade of the island choked supplies of jet fuel.

The Caribbean nation is currently suffering from its worst energy crisis in years, driven largely by the United States throttling supplies of Venezuelan oil after ousting Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

"Due to the difficulties with refuelling aircraft in Cuba, Rossiya Airlines and Nordwind Airlines have been forced to adjust their flight schedules to airports in the country," Russia's federal aviation regulator Rosaviatsia said in a statement.

"Rossiya Airlines will operate a number of return flights only -- from Havana and Varadero to Moscow -- to ensure the evacuation of Russian tourists currently in Cuba," it added.

The Russian government separately called on citizens not to travel to Cuba until the issue was resolved.

Washington has long sought to overthrow or weaken the communist-led government in Havana.

The Kremlin, a traditional ally of Cuba, accused the US on Monday of attempting to "suffocate" the island nation.

Several other foreign airlines including Canada's Air Transat and WestJet have also dropped flights to the country due to the shortages.

Around 5,000 Russian tourists may still be on the island, Russia's Association of Tour Operators said earlier this week.