Related videos:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands has raised its travel alert for Cuba to orange, warning its citizens that the island is not safe for tourism and that they should only travel there when absolutely necessary.
The recommendation, published on the official site NederlandWereldwijd, advises traveling to Cuba only for situations such as the funeral of a family member or an urgent work obligation.
"It is not safe to travel there for vacation," the ministry notes in its updated warning.
The Dutch government also warns that, under the current circumstances, "the embassy of the Netherlands will have fewer opportunities to assist you if you encounter any problems" on the island.
The alert is based on the accelerated deterioration of the internal situation in Cuba. "The security situation in Cuba is rapidly deteriorating due to the severe shortage of fuel, food, and medicine, prolonged power outages, and transportation failures," the official statement indicates.
Power outages affect not only households and businesses but also hospitals, ATMs, mobile networks, and water supply. In Havana, electricity cuts have lasted between 20 and 22 hours daily in May, and on May 13, a record electrical deficit of 2,153 MW was recorded.
The Cuban Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, admitted that the regime has run out of reserves of diesel and fuel oil to sustain the electrical system, a direct consequence of 67 years of failed economic management by the dictatorship.
The Dutch ministry also warns of the risk of social unrest. "Tension in Cuba is rising. The scarcity of food, basic necessities, and medicines could lead to social unrest," the notice states. Reuters reported protests in Havana on May 14 directly related to the blackouts.
The document also warns that "local authorities respond harshly to protests and public disturbances" and that "those participating in the protests may face long prison sentences."
The alert coincides with an escalation of tensions between Washington and Havana. The United States Department of Justice publicly released on May 20 a formal indictment against former president Raúl Castro and five former officials of the regime for the downing of planes from Hermanos al Rescate in 1996, which resulted in the deaths of four individuals.
The Netherlands is not the first country to issue travel warnings for Cuba in 2026. Canada urged over 10,000 tourists to leave the island in February, and Switzerland and Ireland issued similar alerts during the same month.
The Dutch orange alert also has practical consequences for travelers, as many Dutch insurers modify the terms of their travel policies under this risk level, leaving certain damages or expenses in Cuba uncovered.
Filed under: