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The Ministry of Energy and Mines published yesterday in the two resolutions that declare 28 new geosites in the provinces of Cienfuegos and Sancti Spíritus, with the aim of protecting the geological heritage and promoting geotourism in both regions.
The declares 10 geosites in the municipality of Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos, while the declares 18 in the province of Sancti Spíritus, 17 of which are in the municipality of Trinidad and one in the provincial capital.
Both resolutions were signed on May 4, 2026, by Minister Vicente de la O Levy and are part of the , which assigns the Ministry of Energy and Mines oversight of geosites and geoparks throughout the country.
Among the new geosites of Cienfuegos, the Martín Infierno Cave (code 666) stands out, already declared a National Monument, which houses the largest stalagmite in the world at a height of 67.2 meters.
The Lovers' Pool, the Los Desparramaderos Waterfall, the Crystal Pool, the El Calvo Cave, San Juan Peak, three river estuaries into the sea, and Julio César Cave, all located in the area of El Nicho Park, are also included, making it one of the most vibrant ecotourism destinations in Cuba.
The description of the geosite Poza de los Enamorados characterizes it as a "small pond with a little waterfall located next to a cliff made up lithologically of gray limestones, interspersed with dark marbles that have a foul smell upon impact," and warns that "the El Nicho trail adjacent to this pond is frequently visited annually, which may lead to it being affected by constant human activity and water pollution."
In Sancti Spíritus, the 18 new geosites are located within or nearby the Guamuhaya geopark, which was approved in November 2025 as the third national geopark of Cuba, covering an area of 2,143 km².
Among the sites declared in that province, La Trompa del Elefante (code 673) stands out, a stalactite approximately five meters tall located in La Represa Park, within the Topes de Collantes Protected Natural Landscape.
The resolution describes it as "a very suitable place for the study of this type of karst formation" and highlights its high aesthetic and scientific value.
The list from Sancti Spíritus also includes the El Caburní waterfall, an iconic reference for nature tourism in Trinidad, alongside grottoes, caves, sinkholes, and river mouths.
The new statements are added to those already in effect: the for Cienfuegos and the for Sancti Spíritus, both fully in force.
The Institute of Geology and Paleontology assessed the proposals and must notify the Tourism delegates of each province, the National Center for Protected Areas, and the National Council of Cultural Heritage so that they incorporate geoconservation measures into their management plans.
Since 2020, Cuba has declared geosites in multiple provinces: Pinar del Río has 50, Holguín 47, Isla de la Juventud 17, and Las Tunas 15, as part of a national inventory process aimed at formally protecting geological heritage and distinguishing it as a tourist product in the context of an acute economic crisis.
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