Manuel Marrero Cruz, the Cuban Prime Minister, launched the 44th edition of the International Tourism Fair, FITCuba 2026, on Friday with an appeal to international tourists, claiming that "every time a tourist travels to Cuba, they are helping the Cuban people." This plea was quickly met with a sardonic response from content creator José Martínez, who shared a satirical video on Facebook, offering a reverse tour guide: welcome to the "land of misery."
The 57-second clip, adorned with hashtags like #FailedStateCuba and #CrisisInCuba, resembles a nightmarish promotional ad. "Here’s your chance / to see this summer / how a swamp emerges / from a land without freedom," Martínez begins with an enthusiastic announcer’s tone. "You'll find the city / filled with garbage. / Book now, be the first / to experience blackouts, scams. Thieves / await you eagerly."
The sarcasm is not unwarranted; it is backed by grim realities. In Havana, heaps of trash accumulate on streets because only 44 out of 106 garbage trucks have fuel. Earlier this year, a foreign agency described the "stench of decomposition" in the Cuban capital, while a foreign journalist who returned to the island after three years summed it up in three words: "garbage, darkness, and ruins."
Electricity Outages and Fuel Crisis
The blackouts that Martínez highlights with such "advertising" vigor can last over 20 hours a day, with an electricity shortfall reaching 1,905 MW during peak nighttime hours on March 12. President Miguel Díaz-Canel admitted in February that not a single barrel of foreign crude oil has arrived in Cuba in 2026, worsened by the collapse of Venezuelan supply following Maduro's fall.
The video continues with another highlight from the tourist catalog: "You’ll see the most expensive gasoline / in the world! / In just a few seconds / you’ll love your home country more!" This is no poetic exaggeration: a liter of gasoline on the Cuban black market can cost up to 5,000 pesos, a stark contrast to the island's average monthly salary, which is less than 7,000 pesos. "Become an apprentice / and entrust your savings to this power!" Martínez concludes, offering what could be the most honest tourism slogan Cuba has seen in decades.
Fraud and Other Attractions
Martínez, a Cuban psychologist and entrepreneur, also highlights the scams rampant in the nation, much like the recent warnings from the Spanish Consulate in Havana about fake consular appointment emails. Fraud, starting with the state itself, seems so widespread that it merits mention in this ironic travel guide.
The video concludes with the top "attractions": "Don't miss a president / who is always in command! / A people surviving off invention / heading towards ruin." And as a welcome gift: "Enjoy our free collection! / A manual for a nation! / What not to do!" It's a sharp encapsulation of 67 years of dictatorship, all in under a minute.
The Reality Behind the Optimism
Meanwhile, Marrero inaugurated FITCuba 2026 virtually—an adaptation from the traditional in-person format—and optimistically promised that "Cuba will be ready and prepared to offer high-quality service." He also announced the removal of airport sanitary fees starting May 1 as an incentive to attract visitors and claimed that "nothing can block our sun or our beaches."
However, the numbers tell a different story of Cuban tourism's collapse: the island received only 298,057 visitors in the first quarter of 2026, a 48% drop compared to the same period in 2025. In March, just 35,561 tourists arrived, marking a year-on-year decline of 79%. Russian tourism—once a strategic ally—dropped to 249 visitors that month; Canadian tourism plummeted from nearly 99,000 to just 511.
José Martínez's satire is part of a growing trend among Cubans both on the island and abroad, using irony to expose the reality that official rhetoric tries to obscure. In less than a minute, Martínez achieves what no statistical report can: transforming the very language of tourism into a mirror reflecting the unvarnished truth of the nation Marrero invites the world to visit.
Understanding Cuba's Tourism Challenges
What is José Martínez's video about?
José Martínez's video is a satirical take on the Cuban government's call for tourism, highlighting the country's struggles with garbage, blackouts, and economic hardships through sarcastic humor.
How has tourism in Cuba changed in 2026?
Tourism in Cuba has significantly declined, with a 48% drop in visitors during the first quarter of 2026 compared to the previous year, and a notable decrease in tourists from key markets like Russia and Canada.
What are some issues highlighted by Martínez's satire?
Martínez's satire highlights issues such as garbage accumulation, prolonged blackouts, high costs of fuel, and widespread fraud within the country.