The Chilean-Cuban Cultural Institute "José Martí," a pro-Castro organization based in Chile, is promoting a group trip to Cuba from August 10 to 22, 2026. This journey, costing $2,000 per person, is designed for participants to engage in official events marking the centennial of Fidel Castro's birth.
Arranged by Havanatur Chile, a branch of Cuba's state-run travel agency, the package includes accommodation in international hotel chains like Meliá and Starfish in Havana, Trinidad, Cienfuegos, and Varadero. It offers all-inclusive options or breakfast and dinner deals, along with air-conditioned bus transfers, entry visa, and medical insurance.
The planned itinerary features four nights at the Capri Hotel in Havana, two nights at Meliá Trinidad, one night at Meliá La Unión in Cienfuegos, three nights at Starfish Cuatro Palmas in Varadero, and an additional two nights back at the Capri in Havana.
The Centennial of Fidel Castro: Official Events
The trip coincides with the International Colloquium "Fidel: Legacy and Future," scheduled from August 10 to 13 at Havana's Convention Palace, as well as the International Book Fair, rescheduled for August 10 to 16, both commemorating the centennial.
Under the regime of Miguel Díaz-Canel, the year 2026 has been proclaimed as the "Year of Fidel Castro's Centennial" with the slogan "Fidel is a country." This commemorative program launched on August 13, 2025, and will continue until December 4, 2026, featuring the publication of 23 volumes of Selected Works containing over 600 documents.
Reality Check: Cuba's Harsh Conditions
The stark contrast between this ideological tourism and the harsh realities faced by ordinary Cubans could not be more pronounced. While Chilean tourists will enjoy all-inclusive hotel stays and air-conditioned buses, Cuba is experiencing its most severe energy crisis to date in 2026, with blackouts lasting up to 20 to 22 hours daily in Havana and even longer outages in rural areas. The electrical deficits in May and June have exceeded 2,000 MW.
Adding to the misery, approximately 2.7 million people on the island suffered from a complete lack of potable water by June 2026, with many others facing intermittent supply, according to recent reports. In response, the government initiated the so-called "Option Zero" in February 2026, an emergency plan involving animal traction, coal, and biomass as energy sources.
Public Outcry and Internet Reactions
Nearly 89% of the population lives in poverty, according to independent studies, and the Cuban Conflict Observatory recorded 1,245 protests, complaints, and civic actions in March 2026 and 1,133 in April, painting a picture of a society in turmoil, far from celebratory enthusiasm.
Online reactions to the trip's promotion were largely sarcastic and scathing. One commentator suggested purchasing "one-way tickets only." Another, in a similar vein, urged the travelers to "stay there, please." A third proposed that these solidarity tourists bring gifts of "sugar, milk, toothpaste, deodorants, toilet paper" for the Cuban people and invite two locals to dine in these all-inclusive hotels "so they can finally experience a proper meal after 67 years." Another summed it up with three unprintable words. Meanwhile, a sharp-eyed internet user spotted a spelling mistake on the promotional poster—misspelling "Centenario" as "Centerario"—and quipped, "Are these the people telling us to read the 'Poor Fascists'?"
The regime has invested over a year in mobilizing resources to celebrate the centennial of a leader who ruled Cuba for more than five decades, leaving behind a dictatorship now 67 years old, an economy in shambles, and millions of Cubans in exile or poverty. The fact that some are willing to pay $2,000 to fly from Chile to celebrate in luxury hotels—while ordinary Cubans lack electricity, water, and food—speaks volumes about the nature of so-called "solidarity tourism."
Understanding Cuba's Energy and Water Crisis in 2026
What is the "Option Zero" plan initiated by the Cuban government?
The "Option Zero" plan, activated in February 2026, is an emergency initiative by the Cuban government to address the severe energy crisis. It involves utilizing alternative energy sources such as animal traction, coal, and biomass.
How severe is the energy crisis in Cuba as of 2026?
Cuba's energy crisis in 2026 is unprecedented, with Havana experiencing blackouts lasting up to 20 to 22 hours daily. The situation is worse in rural areas, with electrical deficits exceeding 2,000 MW in recent months.
What has been the public response to the tourism initiative for Fidel Castro's centennial?
The public response has been largely negative and sarcastic, with many criticizing the irony of celebrating in luxury while ordinary Cubans face severe shortages of basic necessities like electricity and water.