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The Cuban embassy in the United Kingdom posted a message on Instagram stating that the tourism sector on the island “remains fully operational” and is ready to welcome visitors, right as the British government warns its citizens about a critical situation marked by prolonged power outages, fuel shortages, and disruptions in essential services.
The diplomatic statement affirms that the hotels have independent energy systems, that the food supply is guaranteed, and that fuel for transfers and excursions is assured. It also states that international airlines are maintaining their operations to the island with "resilient" logistical routes.
However, the official update from the Foreign Office describes a very different scenario. London warned that Cuba is facing “serious problems” with its national electrical grid, with outages in some cases exceeding 24 hours, affecting water, refrigeration, and communications. Additionally, it cautioned about long queues at gas stations, strict limits on gasoline sales, and the temporary suspension of diesel.
The British warning also mentions a shortage of fuel for airplanes at Cuban airports, a situation that has led several airlines to revise their schedules, refuel at other destinations, and even temporarily cancel operations.
In the healthcare sector, the UK Government noted that some hospitals have postponed routine medical treatments and that there are severe shortages of basic medications.
The contrast between both messages highlights a clash of narratives. While London urges its citizens to exercise caution and recommends preparing for possible significant disruptions during their stay, the Cuban diplomatic representation insists on projecting an image of stability and efficiency in the tourism sector.
The official message released by the embassy emphasizes that tourism is "protected" and that Cuba remains a sustainable destination where this industry contributes to the life of the communities. In practice, the communication suggests that despite the energy and fuel crisis affecting the country, visitors should not be impacted.
Amid massive blackouts and fuel restrictions that directly affect the population, the promotion of tourist "normalcy" reveals the priority of sustaining one of the main sources of revenue for the State, even as the rest of the country faces severe limitations.
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