The Cuban Minister of Tourism, Juan Carlos García Granda, accused the United States government on Wednesday of trying to "disconnect Cuba from the world" through pressure on airlines, shipping companies, and international tour operators, during the inauguration of FITCuba 2026.
In his intervention, conducted virtually at the 44th edition of the island's main tourism fair, the official repeated the regime's mantra, claiming that Washington maintains a “brutal blockade” and an “economic, commercial, financial, and energy siege” aimed, as he stated, at preventing the country's development.
This is compounded by ongoing campaigns of discredit and threats against airlines, shipping companies, and tour operators, with the sole aim of disconnecting Cuba from the world, García Granda stated before business leaders and representatives from the sector.
The minister acknowledged that Cuban tourism faces "unique challenges" in a complex international context, although he avoided mentioning internal problems that have caused the sector's collapse in recent years, such as blackouts, food shortages, the deterioration of services, and the widespread economic crisis affecting the island.
During the speech, the official emphasized projecting an image of stability and resilience. He assured that destinations like Havana and Varadero “remain open and operational”, while promoting the latter as a “seaweed-free beach” and one of the main tourist attractions in the country.
García Granda also announced new measures to encourage investment in the sector, including the possibility that Cubans residing abroad can directly invest in tourism businesses “under any modality”, with conditions similar to those offered to foreign investors.
It also highlighted the growth of partnerships between state-owned enterprises and private small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as the regime's interest in expanding hotel management contracts and joint ventures.
FITCuba 2026 is taking place amidst a sustained decline in international tourism to the island, one of the strategic sectors for generating foreign currency for the Cuban government. Despite the optimistic official rhetoric, the industry remains far from recovering its pre-pandemic levels.
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