Amidst the worst economic crisis Cuba has faced in decades, characterized by constant blackouts, a severe food shortage, and the still incalculable damage from Hurricane Oscar, the government continues to promote the country as a unique tourist destination.
The Santiago branch of Cuba Travel stated on Facebook this Wednesday that the country "continues to be one of the safest and most welcoming destinations in the world."
The statement seems hardly credible to many, given the stark contrast between the image of stability that the government tries to project and the reality faced by the Cuban population.
In the comments section, people have refuted the post.
Dayi Torres Rivero remarked, "Please, don't feel ashamed to address something like this. Not even the hotels have what tourists need."
"Seriously? A totally shut-down country is a safe destination... you need to consider that," noted the internet user Taty Tatiana.
Isabel Infanzon called Cuba Travel liars: “Cuba is not safe even for us Cubans.”
Following the collapse of the National Electric System last Friday, Canadian tourist Jonathon Renko found himself stranded in Cuba and expressed his desperation to return home after experiencing firsthand the constant power outages that leave the island without electricity.
Renko shared his experience with Global News and warned about the severity of the crisis, explaining how his hopes of enjoying a vacation were thwarted by the energy situation.
He was just one of the many tourists who experienced firsthand the reality faced by Cubans.
"Naturally, we came on vacation to enjoy, explore, and, well, it didn't go well," stated the Mexican Roberto Jiménez, who traveled to the island with his partner and friends, in an interview with AFP.
"Not even going out, we just peeked out and saw it was very dark," he commented, referring to a failed attempt to experience the nightlife of the Cuban capital.
However, before the peak of the current energy crisis, tourists arriving in Cuba have shared on social media the challenges they face while traveling in the country.
Francisco Sosa, a Mexican travel content creator, warned other tourists planning to visit Cuba about the scarcity of drinking water available in the stores on the island.
"If you're going to Cuba, once you arrive, try to buy enough water for your stay. We faced scarcity and walked for hours to get it," Sosa advised in a video posted on TikTok.
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