Food waste in a Cuban hotel while the population faces shortages and blackouts

In the midst of the deep economic crisis affecting Cuba, marked by chronic shortages of food and daily blackouts impacting millions of families, a foreign tourist described an abundance of food and unrestricted services at a hotel on the island, which has reignited the debate about the regime's priorities.

The user identified as Chris Harvey posted in the Facebook group Cuba Vacations & Resort Reviews a brief review accompanied by photos about his stay at the Sol Palmeras hotel in Varadero.

According to their testimony, during breakfast there was a person preparing eggs on the spot and enough butter for the bread. At lunch and dinner— which they described as similar to each other— they served freshly made beef, pork, and chicken, along with French fries and various types of pizza.

The visitor also noted that the rooms were clean, there were plenty of beach towels available for daily exchange, and there were enough chairs on the beach for all guests, without the need to wake up early to reserve a spot. "No complaints," he summed up.

Contrast with the reality of the country

The images and the narrative sharply contrast with the situation most Cubans face, who are dealing with high prices, shortages of basic products, and prolonged power outages that impact both food preservation and daily life.

While in numerous neighborhoods citizens spend hours—sometimes even days—without electricity, the hotel sector catering to international tourism typically maintains stable electrical service and access to supplies that are not available to the general population.

The Cuban economic model prioritizes the generation of foreign currency through tourism, which is one of the main sources of income for the state. However, critics note that this strategy has exacerbated the inequality between those who have access to dollars and those who rely solely on salaries in the national currency.

The contrast between the abundance of tourist facilities and the precariousness of Cuban homes has become one of the most sensitive issues of social discontent on the Island.