A Spanish tourist named David has sparked intense debate on social media after sharing a video from the Malecón in Havana, showcasing the stunning view he enjoys from the Paseo del Prado hotel.
“Good morning, today a greeting from the Malecón in Havana, Cuba. It’s such a beautiful day. Look at this amazing hotel; you can see all of the Malecón from here, at the Paseo del Prado. Many greetings from Cuba,” commented the visitor in the clip posted on TikTok.
However, beyond the scenery and the enthusiastic tone of the message, what really caught the attention of many users was another detail: the scarce circulation of vehicles on the iconic Havana avenue.
In the images, only a couple of cars can be seen driving along the Malecón, something that several internet users immediately linked to the fuel crisis affecting the country for months.
"What does it feel like to be almost the only free person on such a large island?" asked one user. Others were more direct: "Are you the only one in the hotel? Is there electricity?" and "It's evident there's a lack of fuel; there aren't even any cars on the Malecón. Only two cars along the whole stretch!"
There were also ironic comments encouraging the visitor to explore popular neighborhoods in Havana such as Mantilla, La Güinera, Centro Habana, or Guanabacoa, clearly alluding to the harsh reality that many Cubans face outside of the tourist circuits.
The contrast between the clear view of the Malecón and the questions about blackouts, gasoline shortages, and low hotel occupancy has reignited the debate on social media about the country's economic situation, which hits the population particularly hard while tourism tries to remain one of the main sources of foreign currency.
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