In a move seemingly out of touch with the nation's dire circumstances, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz once again utilized his social media presence on X to advocate for tourism in Cuba. This comes at a time when the country is grappling with daily power outages, an escalating health crisis due to dengue and chikungunya, unaffordable food prices, and an eastern region still reeling from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, which has yet to fully recover.
"Congratulations to all the workers who tirelessly strive to keep boosting Cuban tourism… This sector is crucial for ensuring our economic growth," Marrero stated, blatantly overlooking the severe hardships faced by the populace.
The Prime Minister's remarks — who was previously known as the tourism czar during GAESA's era — sparked outrage among Cubans. Citizens have been voicing their frustrations for months over the collapse of basic services, hospitals lacking essential medicines, extended power cuts, fuel shortages, and the complete erosion of purchasing power.
Government Celebrates Tourism Amidst National Hardships
While Marrero praises the tourism sector, the grim reality outside the military-managed luxury hotels paints a starkly different picture, with most provinces enduring blackouts lasting over 12 hours daily.
The National Electric System remains in a downward spiral, with deficits exceeding 1,400 MW. Entire provinces, such as Santiago de Cuba, have not fully restored services since the impact of Hurricane Melissa.
Uncontrolled Health Crisis
The Ministry of Health has reported over 20,000 cases of chikungunya, with intense outbreaks of dengue sweeping across the country. Hospitals are overwhelmed, lacking water, antibiotics, and diagnostic capabilities.
Unaffordable Food and Hurricane Melissa's Aftermath
Prices in MLC continue to dictate access to most basic products, while the average salary fails to cover even a week's worth of groceries.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa has left thousands without shelter or substantial aid. In the eastern regions, many municipalities remain without power, with blocked roads, destroyed homes, and communities accusing the government of neglect.
Government Focuses on Tourism Over People's Needs
Marrero's message comes amidst growing social discontent. As the populace endures endless queues, lack of medical care, and a stalled economy, the government remains fixated on its sole profitable sector: tourism run by the military conglomerate GAESA.
The contradiction did not go unnoticed: Marrero lauds a sector operating in isolation from the people, promoting hotels that the average Cuban cannot afford, while ignoring the health and social catastrophes plaguing the nation.
The disparity between the official narrative and everyday life once again underscores the regime's profound disconnect from the Cuban people's reality. While Marrero touts "economic growth," millions of families endure night after night without electricity, water, medicine, or sufficient food.
Ultimately, the government's message is as clear as it is offensive: tourism is the priority; the people are not.
Understanding Cuba's Current Crisis
What are the main challenges Cuba is facing right now?
Cuba is currently dealing with severe power outages, a health crisis due to dengue and chikungunya outbreaks, unaffordable food prices, and ongoing recovery from the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa.
How is the Cuban government responding to these issues?
The government appears to be prioritizing tourism promotion, largely through military-managed hotels, over addressing the pressing needs of the population, which include restoring power, improving healthcare, and stabilizing food prices.