Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero recently disclosed the severity of the country's tourism crisis, revealing that approximately 75% of the island's hotels have ceased operations. This downturn has effectively brought the tourism industry to a standstill, marking a significant economic blow for a nation that relies heavily on international visitors for foreign currency.

According to Marrero, the primary drivers of this collapse are the ongoing U.S. sanctions and persistent fuel shortages that have hampered the island's ability to maintain operations. The scale of the withdrawal is significant; seven international hotel chains, which collectively managed roughly half of Cuba's total hotel room capacity, have exited the market.

This decline represents a major shift for the Cuban economy, where tourism previously served as the second-largest source of foreign exchange. The sector historically provided employment for more than 300,000 people, and the current closures raise concerns regarding the long-term stability of these jobs and the broader economic health of the island. While the government has acknowledged the crisis, the path to recovery remains uncertain as the country continues to navigate the dual pressures of international trade restrictions and internal logistical challenges.