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The Government of Canada has raised its concerns about Cuba again and urged its citizens to exercise heightened caution if they plan to travel to the island, warning that the current crisis is so unstable that it may deteriorate suddenly, potentially affecting flight availability in a short time.
The update, released on Wednesday, February 4, emphasizes that the country is experiencing a worsening shortage of electricity, fuel, and basic products such as food, water, and medicine—a situation that not only affects the Cuban population but could also directly impact hotels and tourist centers.
"One must exercise a high degree of caution in Cuba due to the worsening shortage of electricity, fuel, and basic necessities, including food, water, and medicine, which may also affect tourist centers," states the notice published on the official page of the Canadian government. The warning also emphasizes that "the situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate, disrupting flight availability in a short time."
The message comes at a delicate time for tourism, one of the few economic lifelines remaining for the regime. According to official data published by Cuba's national statistics agency, the number of Canadian visitors dropped by 12% by December 2025 compared to the previous year, while the total number of international travelers fell by 17% during the same period, according to CBC.
The Canadian media note that Cuba implements daily scheduled blackouts to alleviate pressure on a collapsed power grid, but also experiences unexpected outages that can last more than 24 hours. Although many hotels operate with generators, the Canadian government warns that a lack of fuel may limit their use, affecting essential services such as lighting, running water, hot water, and food.
The alert also highlights the chaos in transportation. The fuel shortage, in addition to causing long lines at gas stations, has led to tensions and altercations. "Long lines often form at gas stations, which has led to altercations," reports CBC.
In the midst of this situation, Canadian airlines and tour operators assure that they continue to operate normally, although they acknowledge a growing concern among travelers. Air Canada and WestJet stated they are monitoring the situation, while Flight Centre admitted there is "more hesitation" and that many customers are asking more questions or delaying decisions before booking.
The Cuban Tourist Office in Toronto tried to counteract the impact of the warning by stating that the resorts are operating “normally and safely” for the 2025/2026 winter season, ensuring that fuel and food supplies were secured in advance.
However, testimonials on social media reflect a less optimistic outlook. CBC quoted a traveler’s comment who described his recent visit as "the worst trip of his life," claiming that he was assured of fuel availability for tourist activities, but he could only go out once to dive because the boat ran out of gas.
The president of the insurance company Travel Secure, Martin Firestone, cautioned that the Canadian advisory is concerning because it is only one level below the category that advises against all non-essential travel. "At the end of the day, they tell you it's not safe to go there," he stated.
Still, Professor Tamanisha John from York University noted that the energy crisis affects Cubans much more than tourists, and pointed out that in the Caribbean, visitors often receive priority over the local population. She also expressed concern over the recent geopolitical context and the threats from the United States towards Cuba following the capture of the Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.
The new alert comes just weeks after Canada advised its citizens to exercise “extreme caution” when traveling to the island, citing prolonged blackouts, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and even recommending bringing basic supplies to survive during the stay.
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