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The former spy and coordinator of the CDR Gerardo Hernández Nordelo boasted this Saturday about Cuban tourism "despite the haters" at the most critical moment for this sector on the island in the last 20 years.
Hernández Nordelo shared a video of "today" on X that shows a tourist strolling in almendrones along the Havana waterfront.
"Despite the haters and their little campaigns, citizens from around the world (except for those from the USA, who are prohibited) continue to visit this humble, beautiful, and rebellious island. (Today's video)," said the official.
However, the island ended 2025 with the lowest number of tourist arrivals in 20 years. Only 1.7 million tourists visited the island, a figure well below the target set of 2.6 million travelers, and a decrease of 22.63% compared to 2024.
Tourism in Cuba is going through one of its most critical moments. Hotels operate with minimal staff, experience power and water outages, food is insufficient, and garbage accumulates in the streets.
The collapse of the sector, a traditional source of foreign currency for the regime, coincides with a structural deterioration of the Cuban economy and the loss of Venezuelan oil supply following the capture of Nicolás Maduro.
The loss of income from tourism and remittances exacerbates an internal crisis characterized by scarcity, blackouts, and the collapse of basic services. In several provinces, the accumulation of waste and lack of sanitation have led to the spread of viruses and diseases, according to local media and testimonies on social networks.
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