Cuba's National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported 298,000 tourists arriving in January, February, and March 2026, a 48% drop from 573,300 in the same period of 2025. The energy crisis, worsened by geopolitical tensions, has severely impacted the sector. Airlines have suspended flights and internal transport faces major limitations.
ONEI detailed 184,800 tourists in January, 77,660 in February, and just 35,560 in March. Main source countries were Canada and Russia, with fewer visits from the Cuban diaspora.
The crisis worsened due to the oil blockade imposed by US President Donald Trump in January, following an attack on Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro. Cuba relied on Venezuelan crude, and Trump warned of tariffs on countries supplying oil to the island.
Airlines including Iberia, Air Canada, and Air France suspended flights due to lack of fuel for refueling in Cuba. Others like W2Fly and Air Europa cut frequencies and refuel in the Dominican Republic.
Frequent blackouts, shortages, and transport limits impact visitors. Rental cars receive only 20 liters of gasoline at special stations with days-long queues. Late last month, the Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin arrived with 730,000 barrels, defying the blockade; a second ship's arrival remains uncertain.
