Milei's Argentina refuses to refuel Cuban airline
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Argentina's YPF is refusing to refuel Cuba's airline, Cubana, which has led to the disruption of flights between the two countries.
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A Cubana airlines, aircraft is stationed at the international terminal of the Jose Marti Airport in Havana, Cuba, on February 16, 2016. (AP)
Argentina's YPF refuses to supply fuel to Cuban airline Cubana, as confirmed by Cuba's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
This decision has led to the suspension of a long-standing route between Havana and Buenos Aires that has been operational for nearly four decades. Cuba had previously announced in April that it was compelled to cancel certain flights to Buenos Aires due to a disagreement over fuel provision.
Negotiations between Cubana and YPF, along with high-level officials, failed to reach a resolution, resulting in the suspension of regular flights between Cuba and Argentina after 39 years, according to Cuba's Foreign Ministry.
A source from Argentina's Ministry of Transportation, speaking to Reuters, mentioned that a meeting occurred on Friday to address the issue. While the ministry lacks the authority to resolve this conflict directly, discussions with the company were held to explore potential solutions within the existing regulations.
YPF has chosen not to comment on the matter.
In its statement, Cuba's Foreign Ministry indicated that Argentine officials invoked the US trade embargo against Cuba as justification for their actions, an argument Cuba deems inconsistent with both Argentine and international laws.
It also condemned the imposition of outdated and unreasonable restrictions on a Cuban entity, attributing it to the detrimental impact of the US blockade on Cuba. This embargo complicates financial transactions and procurement of goods and services by the Cuban government and people, posing risks for foreign companies engaged in trade with Cuba.
Under Argentina's previous president, Alberto Fernandez, who had close ties with Cuba, Cubana's flights between Havana and Buenos Aires operated with minimal disruption despite the sanctions. However, far-right president, Javier Milei, who assumed office on December 10, has completely aligned his government with the United States, disrupting bilateral relations with several Latin American partners.
