While most of Cuba faced a total blackout, tourist hotels continued to operate thanks to their backup generators. This disparity highlights the gap between the tourism sector and the Cuban population, which struggles daily with electricity shortages and lack of basic services.
The recent energy crisis, which left the island without electricity due to a breakdown at the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, reveals the fragility of Cuba’s Electroenergy System and the structural inequalities in access to energy.
Hiana Galindo Enríquez, Commercial Director of the Ministry of Tourism (Mintur), assured that the impact on the tourism sector was “minimal”, thanks to the measures implemented to guarantee the continuity of services in the hotels.
However, this statement sounds disconnected from the reality faced by the population. While tourists enjoyed recreational facilities and amenities, ordinary Cubans resigned themselves to the gloom, dealing with an energy system that fails to satisfy their most basic needs.
The blackout, which occurred just after the government declared an “energy emergency,” highlighted the system’s shortcomings. The reconnection of the electrical service was a slow process, marked by new outages and the scourge of Hurricane Oscar.
In the midst of this critical situation, Russian tourists and other travelers experienced no interruptions in their rest, while the local population faced days without electricity, intensifying the feeling of abandonment.
Minimal impact on tourism
The director of Mintur stated that during the crisis no tours were canceled and that, given the difficulty in serving clients, tourists were transferred to other hotels. This ability to respond raises questions about the government’s priorities. Although it is vital to protect the tourism sector, the lack of solutions for the population reveals ineffective management in the face of a prolonged crisis.
Konstantin Dudkin, representative of the Pegas Touristik company, confirmed that measures were taken to ensure the well-being of tourists, such as filling water tanks and ensuring the supply of fuel. However, the question remains: why are these measures not extended to the general population? The perception that the government prioritizes tourism over the basic needs of its citizens has become increasingly evident.
Despite the importance of tourism for the Cuban economy, which represents the second most significant sector in GDP, authorities face a harsh reality. The recovery of the sector has been slow and is marked by the impact of COVID-19, US sanctions and, now, the energy crisis.
While the government continues to invest in the tourism sector, it is clear that the road to equity and well-being of the Cuban population is still long. The duality of the energy crisis exposes a profound social injustice: while some enjoy comforts, others are forced to live in darkness. This contrast raises serious questions about the direction of the country and its attention to the needs of its people.
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