\t\tRead: < 1 min<\/p>\n
Air Canada said Friday that it was suspending its service to Cuba indefinitely, citing \u201cpolitical and economic uncertainty\u201d on the island facing intensifying pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n
Canada\u2019s national carrier, which in February announced a pause on Cuba flights until November, said it wanted to give customers more certainty regarding the prospect of future travel.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the ongoing political and economic uncertainty with respect to Cuba, Air Canada is indefinitely suspending service to the island,\u201d the Montreal-based company said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Canadians made up a key portion of Cuba\u2019s tourism sector, but that revenue has dried up as Washington has cut off fuel supplies and threatened to invade the island.<\/p>\n
Last week, Canada\u2019s Blue Diamond Resorts announced it was shutting down its 62 properties in Cuba.<\/p>\n
The fuel embargo in place since January has left Cuba without diesel for generators used to bolster its crumbling power supply, resulting in power outages of up to 22 hours a day and shortages of tap water.<\/p>\n
With transport virtually at a standstill, the island is also running short on food and medicine, making it reliant on aid shipments from Mexico and China.<\/p>\n