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The former Cuban spy Gerardo Hernández Nordelo, national coordinator of the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR), has once again sparked outrage on social media after posting a message in which he laments that "poor" American citizens cannot visit the Island due to the embargo.
"How beautiful Cuba is!" she wrote on X, accompanied by an image of a rural landscape.
"Please share the photo for the poor citizens of the USA who are prohibited from coming to see it due to the 'embargo,'" he added.
The text was received as an insult by both Cubans on the Island and those in exile, who were quick to remind him of the misery, blackouts, dengue, and repression that are part of everyday life in Cuba.
"We are not prohibited from going to Cuba, you abnormal person. Our moral duty is not to support the same dictatorship from which we fled. The murderer PCC is not Cuba," a migrant responded.
Another young man commented, "It will be nice, but Cubans enjoy it less and less, hunger doesn't allow them to think."
Criticism multiplied: "Who wants to go to Cuba to see power outages, trash in the streets, and needs? For tourists, there is electricity; for the people, there isn't," wrote another user.
One internet user concluded: "Cuba is beautiful, but it would be much more lovely without you and without the CDR."
The contradiction with tourist reality
Hernández's remarks stand in stark contrast to the challenging situation of tourism in Cuba, which is experiencing a historic decline from countries where there are no travel restrictions to the Island. This demonstrates that the limitations imposed by the United States are not related to the crisis in the sector.
According to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), by June 2025, 1,306,650 travelers arrived on the Island, which is 319,654 fewer than during the same period in 2024.
Key markets are showing steep declines.
Canada, a traditional leading source of tourists, saw a drop from 577,624 visitors to 428,125; while Russia, which the regime counted on as a lifeline, plummeted from 112,707 to only 63,708 visitors, a contraction of almost 50%.
In parallel, the hotel occupancy rate in the first quarter was only 24.1%, meaning that over 75% of the rooms remained unoccupied even during the peak season.
Meliá, one of the leading foreign chains on the Island, reported a 20.8% drop in its revenue per available room.
Economist Pedro Monreal summarized the situation: "International tourism did not fill even a quarter of the hotel capacity in the first quarter. This is a worse result than in 2024 and contradicts the official narrative of recovery."
What the Cubans themselves say
Even government-affiliated media such as Cubadebate have acknowledged the slowdown in tourism, and when attempting to blame external factors, they received harsh responses from the Cubans themselves:
Who wants to go to a country without electricity, with bitter people and garbage dumps on every corner?, wrote a user.
Another added: "The tourist is human, and when they see mosquitoes, gnats, sewage, bad smells, and scarce food, they simply don’t return or recommend it."
A traveler reported that in a 5-star hotel in Varadero, there were no eggs for four days, and that the staff, exhausted from power outages at home, were unable to provide even minimally decent service.
The contradiction is evident: while Gerardo Hernández boasts about "the beauty of Cuba," the citizens and visitors themselves report a country immersed in an energy crisis, shortages, and neglect.
And it is precisely that reality - not the embargo or the prohibition on Americans - that explains why tourists avoid the Island.
In the end, Hernández's comment was seen as yet another example of the cynicism of the regime's propaganda apparatus: a former spy turned bureaucrat of the CDR attempting to gloss over the profound decline of a country ruined by the dictatorship he himself represents with idyllic landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gerardo Hernández's Statements and the Situation in Cuba
What did Gerardo Hernández say about Americans who cannot visit Cuba?
Gerardo Hernández expressed pity for the "poor" Americans who, according to him, cannot visit Cuba due to the U.S. embargo. His comments were seen as mockery by many, as they ignore the internal difficulties facing Cuba, such as the energy crisis, shortages, and repression.
How has the U.S. embargo affected tourism in Cuba?
Although Gerardo Hernández blames the U.S. embargo for the decline in tourism, the figures show that tourism in Cuba has been declining even from countries without travel restrictions to the Island. The situation is more due to the internal conditions of the country than to the embargo.
What is the current situation of tourism in Cuba?
Tourism in Cuba is facing a significant crisis, with a hotel occupancy rate of only 24.1% in the first quarter of 2025, indicating that more than 75% of the rooms remain unoccupied. This is due to internal issues rather than external restrictions.
What contradictions exist in Gerardo Hernández's statements and actions?
Gerardo Hernández has been criticized for his contradictory statements and actions, such as describing Europe as a "failed continent" and then traveling to Italy. These actions are perceived as cynicism, as they overlook the serious situation facing Cuba.
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