Related videos:
The tax-free dream that for two decades attracted millions of expatriates—including thousands of Cuban-Americans and Cubans from the diaspora—has shattered in a matter of days. Since late February 2026, Iranian attacks on the United Arab Emirates have triggered a stampede of foreign residents pledging never to return to Dubai.
Between February 28 and March 6, Iran launched more than 700 projectiles —174 ballistic missiles, 689 drones, and 8 cruise missiles— against the United Arab Emirates as part of "Operation True Promise 4," in response to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. Although the Emirati air defense system intercepted approximately 95% of the projectiles, debris caused at least six fatalities and over 120 injuries from more than 20 nationalities.
The impacts were reported near city landmarks: the Fairmont Hotel in Palm Jumeirah, the Burj Al Arab and Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport. On March 4, a drone struck near the U.S. consulate in Dubai. On March 11, a ballistic missile hit the vessel Star Gwyneth near Ras al-Khaimah.
The mass exodus has come at a brutal cost. More than 37,000 flights have been canceled since the conflict began, and DXB airport is operating at 70% of its capacity. Emirates Airlines reported a 40% drop in passengers in the first quarter of 2026. Those who have managed to escape have paid up to $350,000 for private flights to Europe, while car trips to Oman or Saudi Arabia to catch alternative flights have exceeded $5,000.
For Cuban Americans in Miami and other Latinos who have chosen Dubai as their base due to its cosmopolitan lifestyle and the absence of income tax, the crisis adds a dimension that goes beyond physical security: censorship. The Attorney General of the United Arab Emirates, Hamid Saif Al Shamsi, has prohibited photographing, publishing, or sharing images of missile impact sites under the Cybersecurity and Rumors Law, with minimum penalties of one year in prison and fines of up to AED 200,000.
The consequences have been immediate. An Australian citizen had to delete his missile videos after receiving direct threats of imprisonment and a fine of $77,000. An influencer with millions of followers removed images of debris near her apartment. Emirati authorities directly contacted content creators to demand the removal of material deemed harmful to "national unity."
The economic impact is severe. The Dubai Stock Exchange fell by 15% on Wednesday, March 11, and unemployment among expatriates rose to 12% in February, according to KPMG. By 2025, around 9,800 millionaires had moved to Dubai, bringing $63 billion; many are now among those fleeing. The U.S. State Department raised its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates to Level 3 on March 9, recommending considering voluntary departure from the country.
Not everyone has left the city. A Cuban in Dubai witnessed the interception of Iranian missiles from his balcony. The Greek lawyer Maria Palmou, who has lived in Dubai for 10 years, described the situation as "disconcerting," but expressed confidence in the local authorities and the air defense system. Real estate analysts indicate that the Emirati market, unlike in 2008, is backed by its own capital rather than debt.
Iran announced the cessation of attacks on neighboring countries on March 7, but rejected any notion of surrender. Remote work has been declared mandatory until March 17, and schools will remain closed until March 18, signs that normalcy in the city once marketed as the world's safe paradise is still far from returning.
Filed under: