Cuba announcing no aviation fuel available

[JohnnyO]

3 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Rumour was they discussed cancelling it last week but had no solution to the mechanics of refunding tickets. 

Refunds? We don't have no stinking refunds! That word does not exist in the communist dictionary. Besides, how are you going to sell the $10 million humidor? C'mon Prez, stop playing with us. John

[Marco_011t556]

Well, they can still host the festival. But if you are the guest, are you brave enough to go? What if there's no fuel for the plane to return? Lol

P.S. They will charge you for a 'no show' penalty! 

[El Presidente]

7 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

Refunds? We don't have no stinking refunds! That word does not exist in the communist dictionary. Besides, how are you going to sell the $10 million humidor? C'mon Prez, stop playing with us. John

...Yes, better to reschedule ....and if people cannot make it, well, tough titty. 

I would just plough ahead. It is the Cuban way. 

[zacca]

16 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

Russia has told their people to get out. Do they know something we don't?

Pretty serious move for a them with a govt they are friendly with. To me it suggests they expect conditions to worsen and believe infrastructure stability is in question. Countries are usually willing to leave nationals in uncomfortable situations if they believe the host state is stable enough. So an evacuation advisory here is them saying “don’t be here if this goes sideways". I don’t think this means Russia is abandoning Cuba though. They’ll still help at the state level if it serves their geopolitical interests. I think the next 60-120 days matter a lot. 

Hoping for the best for you down there. Hang tight and do what you need to do. 

[NYGuido]

14 hours ago, zacca said:

Pretty serious move for a them with a govt they are friendly with. To me it suggests they expect conditions to worsen and believe infrastructure stability is in question. Countries are usually willing to leave nationals in uncomfortable situations if they believe the host state is stable enough. So an evacuation advisory here is them saying “don’t be here if this goes sideways". I don’t think this means Russia is abandoning Cuba though. They’ll still help at the state level if it serves their geopolitical interests. I think the next 60-120 days matter a lot. 

Hoping for the best for you down there. Hang tight and do what you need to do. 

Yeah. That Russia, a staunch ally, is getting its people out is the reddest of flags to my eye. They haven’t recalled diplomats yet, which is the sole positive sign. 

[Salomones]

The German Foreign Office is now advising against travel to Cuba. Flights from Germany to Cuba are cancelled until March.

[BrightonCorgi]

No way should they cancel the Festival.  That's admitting defeat and there's probably no money to pay people back. 

[Puros Y Vino]

Just saw a rundown of effects in a reddit post of what's going on in Havana source post user cocodrool

- all public transport has been suspended, meaning no movement of workers (including cigar rollers who get paid $5 a month to sit at home and do nothing); Partagas has 234 benches and only 86 rollers!

- all universities have closed with classes going online … except there is no electricity and, thus, no WiFi.

- all sports, cultural and musical events have been cancelled - and, certainly, the Habanos Festival will not go ahead.

- all independent shops (bars, restaurants) must close, unless they have solar panels or a generator.

- street corners are covered in mountains of rotting garbage - a breeding ground for disease.

- workers in cigar factories are being asked to go out - unpaid - and clean up garbage after their shifts at the factories.

- Prado is empty; the malecon is empty

- the government has asked citizens to show up on Saturdays for military practice

On the outskirts, there are protests. Fires in the streets. The banging of pots and pans. Without gasoline - now rationed at 20 litres per person per month - society comes to a standstill. And without electricity, the entire infrastructure crumbles. Built on sand. There are hospitals with generators that can’t function, because there is no fuel, so eff you if you need dialysis. You’re dead