The United States Embassy in Cuba has sharply criticized the Cuban regime for prioritizing tourism spending over essential sectors such as health and education. In a bold message posted on social media, the embassy highlighted that in 2024, the regime allocated eleven times more funds to tourism than to basic social services.
"Empty hotels enjoy electricity while Cuban children lack medicines and milk," the diplomatic mission declared in a recent statement. This critique underscores the disconnect between the regime's official priorities and the urgent needs of the Cuban populace, who are enduring one of the most severe social and economic crises in recent decades.
Despite chronic shortages in hospitals, schools, and pharmacies, the policy of prioritizing the construction of hotels continues, many of which remain vacant due to low visitor numbers. Meanwhile, Cuban children suffer from malnutrition and lack access to essential medications, yet state-run hotels—mostly managed through joint ventures with military conglomerates—are guaranteed a steady supply of electricity and air conditioning.
Questioning the Motives Behind Tourism Investment
The embassy's message also implies that the investment in tourism serves particular interests within the governing elite: "They aim to secure a future for their corrupt officials, who build hotels and other facilities that they plan to privatize for themselves once the regime falls."
The denunciation points to military corporations as direct beneficiaries of the tourism boom—especially the conglomerate GAESA—while the Cuban people suffer the consequences of inflation, scarcity, and mass emigration.
This statement comes amid rising public discontent on the island, marked by power outages, sporadic strikes, and civic protests. Meanwhile, the tourism industry struggles to recover from the collapse caused by the pandemic and ongoing sanctions, failing to justify the vast amount of state resources allocated to it.
According to official figures, in 2024, investment in business services, real estate activities, and rentals reached 24.907 billion Cuban pesos (CUP), making it the top capital expenditure in the country. Additionally, 11.936 billion CUP were directed towards hotels and restaurants, totaling over 36.800 billion pesos in activities closely tied to tourism.
In contrast, fundamental sectors crucial to social well-being and productive development in the country received a significantly smaller share of state resources. Public health and social assistance saw only 1.977 billion CUP in investment, while agriculture, livestock, and forestry were allocated 2.645 billion, representing a mere 2.7% of the national investment total.
FAQs on Cuba's Economic Priorities
Why is the U.S. Embassy criticizing Cuba's tourism spending?
The U.S. Embassy criticizes the Cuban regime for allocating significantly more resources to tourism than to essential sectors like health and education, highlighting the regime's misplaced priorities amid a severe economic crisis.
How much did Cuba invest in tourism compared to social services in 2024?
In 2024, Cuba invested over 36.800 billion Cuban pesos in tourism-related activities, which is eleven times the amount spent on basic social services.
What are the implications of Cuba's investment in tourism?
The focus on tourism at the expense of essential services has led to shortages in hospitals and schools, while benefiting military conglomerates and potentially serving the interests of the ruling elite.