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The energy crisis affecting Cuba has not only paralyzed hotels and forced airlines to refuel outside the country. It has also raised alarm bells in the Spanish hotel sector, which watches with growing concern as the island's economic decline intertwines with an uncertain and potentially decisive political landscape for its interests.
The major Mallorca-based chains —primarily Meliá and Iberostar— have a strong presence in Cuba, where they manage over fifty hotels.
However, the recent closures under the "consolidation" plan promoted by the Cuban authorities, coupled with the lack of fuel for commercial aviation, have intensified the feeling of fragility.
This is complemented by the decision of airlines such as Air Europa, Iberia, and World2Fly to refuel in the Dominican Republic in order to maintain their routes to Havana.
Although the public message is one of continuity—“We have no intention of abandoning Cuba”—the sector privately acknowledges that it is monitoring the evolution of events with great caution.
Washington's pressure on the regime, in the context of negotiations and redefinition of relations under the Trump administration, introduces an additional variable: the fear that any political realignment or bilateral agreement could impact foreign assets on the island.
“I don't think they will take the hotels away, maybe just one...” whispered voices from the sector to Diario de Mallorca, reflecting a mix of confidence and concern.
The possibility that the regime may use economic concessions as bargaining chips or reconfigure strategic alliances keeps Spanish operators on edge, as they have been betting on the Cuban market for decades.
Meanwhile, the collapse of tourism is evident. The cancellation of flights from Canada—its main source market—and the sustained decline in visitors are exacerbating financial pressure.
Although urgent evacuations are not expected and tourists are completing their stays, the high season is experiencing reduced occupancy rates.
The Spanish hotel sector is holding steady, but it is no longer only facing blackouts and fuel shortages. It is now also grappling with a geopolitical uncertainty that could redefine its presence on the island in the coming months.
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