Foreign tourists scarce in Cuba amid economic crisis and sanctions

Cuba is grappling with a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by U.S. sanctions and fuel shortages, leading to a significant decline in foreign tourism. Major hotel chains and airlines have scaled back operations, and credit card services, including Mastercard and Visa, have suspended transactions, further deterring visitors. The island's infrastructure is decaying, with Havana facing a critical garbage crisis due to a lack of fuel for waste collection, affecting its 2 million residents. The Trump administration has intensified economic pressure on Cuba, prompting international hotel chains to withdraw from the island due to tightened restrictions. Amidst these deteriorating conditions, Cuban residents demonstrate resilience, adhering to the principle of "resistir" or enduring hardship. However, there are underlying fears of government reprisal for any dissent. Resourceful solutions are emerging, but the long-term sustainability of the current situation remains uncertain. The crisis has also led to the jailing of Cuban influencer Eddy Ceballos for creating parody videos that highlight Havana's decaying infrastructure; he has not been formally charged. The economic collapse has also prompted a major Canadian miner to reconsider its operations in Cuba. In contrast, Dubai's luxury hotels are relying on residents for staycations due to regional conflicts deterring international tourists.