In a Havana plunged into darkness due to constant blackouts, a display of lights shines brightly as a mockery of the reality faced by the average Cuban.
It is about the luxurious Gran Muthu Habana Tower Mirador del Caribe hotel, located in the exclusive area of Miramar, which, in the middle of the night, appears illuminated from end to end, as if the country were not experiencing one of the most severe energy crises in its recent history.
The scene, shared on social media by content creator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, showcases the property's dazzling display of lights, while the surrounding streets remain in darkness.
The contrast is not only visual but also deeply symbolic: while citizens face daily power outages, food shortages, and a rapid deterioration of public services, the regime continues to prioritize investment in luxury tourist infrastructure, which is inaccessible to most of the population.
The Gran Muthu Habana Tower, which opened its doors in February 2025, features over 500 rooms, a panoramic pool, upscale restaurants, and privileged views of the Caribbean Sea. On its ground floor, it houses the controversial first dollar store opened by the Cuban regime in its latest effort for the "partial dollarization of the economy."
This investment, backed by the Indian chain MGM Muthu Hotels and managed in coordination with the Cuban regime, is part of an official strategy that continues to funnel resources into the tourism sector, despite the visible collapse of the national power grid, hospitals without supplies, and the massive exodus of professionals.
The Gran Muthu Habana Tower Mirador del Caribe Hotel is a joint investment between the Indian chain MGM Muthu Hotels and the Cuban state tourism group Gaviota S.A., which is part of the military conglomerate GAESA.
The management and operation of the hotel are handled by MGM Muthu Hotels, which also manages other establishments in Cuba, such as the Gran Muthu Almirante Beach in Holguín and the Gran Muthu Rainbow in Cayo Guillermo.
A model that doesn't hold: New hotels are being built while occupancy rates are falling
Paradoxically, this intensive investment in tourism occurs amidst a staggering decline in the arrival of foreign visitors. According to official data recently published, hotel occupancy in Cuba has fallen to historic lows, with over 70% of rooms vacant.
International tourism, one of the country's main sources of foreign currency, has not managed to recover after the pandemic nor has it reached the levels projected by the government, despite significant investments in new hotels.
While luxury complexes like Gran Muthu and Torre K are being built, Cuban neighborhoods remain in darkness and neglect. There are no resources to improve basic infrastructure or to ensure dignified food access, yet there is money to light up empty hotels and allocate funds to projects that hardly benefit the average citizen.
The Cuban regime continues to promote these developments with the promise of attracting tourists and foreign currency, but reality shows that it is a failed gamble. Havana shines for a few while it dims for the majority. And that light, rather than illuminating, dazzles with its injustice.
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