Key facts
- Spanish hotel chain Meliá is ceasing all operations in Cuba.
- The company cited "major difficulties" and pressure from Washington as reasons.
- Meliá stated that U.S. sanctions make operational stability impossible.
- The exit follows previous announcements of Meliá ceasing operations at 15 of its 34 hotels.
- Donald Trump ordered new sanctions against Cuba in May.
The Spanish hotel group Meliá announced Tuesday that it will cease all operations in Cuba by the end of the week, citing "major difficulties" in doing business on the island due to increasing pressure from Washington. The company informed the Spanish stock market regulator that the latest U.S. sanctions make it "impossible, de facto and de jure, to maintain even minimal operational stability." Meliá stated it would work to ensure a smooth transition for staff, suppliers, and clients. This move follows a previous announcement last month where Meliá indicated it would stop operating 15 of its 34 hotels in Cuba. The company is one of the largest foreign hotel operators in Cuba, managing 14,000 rooms. President Donald Trump ordered new sanctions against Cuba in May, targeting individuals and threatening foreign entities working with them. Meliá was the first Spanish hotel group to enter the Cuban market in the 1990s after the nation opened its tourism sector amid an economic crisis. Washington has also blocked oil shipments to Cuba since January, in addition to the long-standing economic embargo.