Cuba has warned international airlines that jet fuel supplies will be suspended on the island starting Tuesday, the latest sign that the situation is rapidly deteriorating as the United States moves to block oil shipments to the communist nation.

The fuel shortage is expected to last from February 10 to March 11, according to a NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) issued late Sunday, just two days after senior officials stated that a rationing plan announced Friday would not affect air travel.

Cuba has historically relied on Venezuela for a significant portion of its aviation fuel, but since mid-December, when the United States began blocking the South American nation's exports, the Caribbean island nation has not received any crude or refined oil from its closest ally.

President Donald Trump has since declared that Cuba will no longer receive oil from Venezuela and has threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sends fuel to Cuba, effectively cutting off Cuba's aviation fuel supply.

Such shortages are not new to Cuba, and many airlines have already made plans to cope with them, Reuters reported.

Due to a similar crisis last year as well as several recent crises, many airlines have been refueling in nearby third countries such as Panama, the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and the United States.

Most flights to Havana on Monday morning were operating on schedule.

A Copa Airlines flight to Panama departed on time early Monday morning, and several American Airlines flights were scheduled to arrive later in the day, airport officials confirmed to Reuters.

None of the major airlines flying to Cuba have commented on the situation yet, Reuters added.

By NNP Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Contributor NNP info@newsandpost.com