Mexican Senator Gerardo Fernández Noroña, known for his controversial stance within the ruling Morena party, has called upon his followers to consider a vacation in Cuba. He assured that the country's tourism services remain intact despite the ongoing power outages and severe economic crisis affecting its citizens.
In a TikTok video filmed on Tuesday from the gardens of Havana's iconic Hotel Nacional, Noroña acknowledged the power interruptions but insisted that they do not impact tourists.
"Tourism services are operational, even with the outages. Visitors aren't affected; everything is in place. Transportation is available, and you can visit different sites," he stated.
Noroña arrived in Cuba on Sunday, August 9, to participate in events marking the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth, celebrated on Thursday, August 13. He plans to return to Mexico that same day to continue his senatorial duties.
The senator portrayed travel to Cuba as an act of solidarity, placing the blame for Cuba's economic difficulties on Washington.
"Tourism is a way to support Cuba, allowing their economy to persist despite the U.S. government's actions," he declared.
"So come, come, take a week off. There are hotels for all budgets, and dining options of various categories. It's a brotherly nation," he added.
Tourism Amidst Lengthy Blackouts
The senator's invitation starkly contrasts with the daily reality faced by millions of Cubans outside major tourist hubs. The island's power crisis, which Noroña summarized with a simple "there are outages," has resulted in deficits exceeding 2,000 MW and extended blackouts lasting much of the day.
On August 9, the Electric Union forecasted a deficit of 2,280 MW against a demand of 3,300 MW. The National Electric System has endured at least seven total collapses this year, with a national blackout in March leaving the country in darkness for almost 30 consecutive hours.
Decline in Cuban Tourism
Noroña's call for tourists comes at a time when Cuba's tourism industry is experiencing one of its worst declines in decades. Between January and June 2026, the island welcomed only 387,591 international visitors, a 60.7% drop compared to the same period the previous year, according to official data from the National Office of Statistics and Information.
In 2025, Cuba concluded the year with just 1.81 million visitors, marking the lowest tourism figures in over two decades.
Noroña has previously faced criticism in Mexico for the disparity between his political rhetoric advocating austerity and his personal expenditures, which include business class flights, private jet travel, and a residence valued at approximately 12 million Mexican pesos.
Yet, from the gardens of the Hotel Nacional, Noroña painted a picture of Cuba where tourists can still find functioning hotels, restaurants, and services despite the widespread blackouts—a stark contrast to the everyday struggles experienced by millions of Cubans outside these tourist areas.
During his visit, Noroña also met with Esteban Lazo Hernández and Ana María Mari Machado, the President and Vice President of the National Assembly of People's Power and the Council of State, respectively.
Understanding Cuba's Tourism and Economic Challenges
How are power outages affecting tourism in Cuba?
Despite ongoing power outages, Senator Noroña claims that tourism services remain unaffected. However, these outages have caused significant disruptions in everyday life for Cuban citizens.
What has been the trend in Cuban tourism recently?
Cuban tourism has dramatically declined, with a 60.7% drop in international visitors between January and June 2026 compared to the previous year. This follows a year with historically low visitor numbers.