Cuba. Nothing to worry about.

[El Presidente]

Lessner Gomez, Tourism Czar for Cuba is the best I have seen since Baghdad Ali 

MISSISSAUGA — Amid recent comments from U.S. President Trump threatening to halt Venezuelan oil shipments to Cuba, the country’s Ministry of Tourism is pushing back against misconceptions about possible fuel shortages and widespread power outages.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Jan. 14, in Mississauga, Lessner Gomez, Marketing Director of the Ministry of Tourism of Cuba (MINTUR), urged Canadian travellers to not by swayed by recent media reports. 

“I want to reaffirm that Cuba continues to be a safe destination with very hospitable people who stand in solidarity. It’s business as usual,” said Gomez, adding the country receives an average 120 flights a week from Canada and hopes to welcome one million Canadian visitors this year.

Gomez’s assurances come more than a week after Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in Caracas, and three days after Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Sunday: “THERE WILL BE NO MORE OIL OR MONEY GOING TO CUBA — ZERO! I strongly suggest they make a deal, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE.”

Trump did not provide any details about the deal. When asked by Travelweek, Gomez dismissed suggestions of direct talks between U.S. and Cuban leadership. “Yesterday, Trump said that he spoke with the Cuban president. But the press asked the president about it and he said this isn’t true – he never spoke with Trump.”

Myth One: Cuba Relies Solely on Venezuelan Oil

One major myth surrounding Cuba’s current situation is the belief that the country depends entirely on Venezuela for fuel. This is not the case, said Gomez.

“Cuba is a sovereign country and we have many different contracts with many different countries. From all these different contracts, we get all the fuel for everything we need to run the country,” he said, noting that just three days prior, Cuba received a new shipment from Mexico. “And who knows, with our good relationship with Canada, we can probably get fuel from Canada, too.”

This diversification in fuel supply will carry the country through to at least the summer season, he added. “Our hotels have enough fuel for the short-, medium- and long-term.” 

Gomez also clarified that aviation fuel has never been sourced from Venezuela due to the nature of its oil.

“Before the Venezuela situation, the fuel was being used for flights did not come from Venezuela. The characteristic of Venezuelan oil is heavy, which is why it was never used for airplanes,” he said.

Earlier this week at a similar press conference in Montreal, Canadian travel partners were provided with a signed letter from the Cuban Aeronautical Institute confirming that airports and hotel operations have the fuel and supplies needed to sustain the winter season.

Myth Two: Blackouts are Disrupting Tourism

Despite recent media reports of power outages across the country, Gomez stressed that a lack of fuel is not to blame and that resort areas remain unaffected.

“The main issue with the blackouts isn’t due to fuel – the grid is aging and authorities did not receive a proper maintenance schedule,” he said. 

Notably, all major tourist zones in Cuba operate independently of the national electrical grid.

“Our hotels in all tourist destinations operate on their own grid separate from the national grid. Plus, hotels have their own generators that can be used if needed to run operations,” added Gomez. 

To address long-term concerns, Gomez said the country has been developing renewable energy solutions for the past few years. For example, at the Melia Trinidad Peninsula, 80% of the resort operates on solar energy.

“For all new hotels and investments, the number one consideration is the inclusion of renewable energy,” said Gomez.

Addressing Mosquito-borne Illnesses

Cuba is currently dealing with outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses including dengue, chikungunya and the new Oropouche virus. As reported by CTV News, officials have reported more than 38,000 suspected cases of the diseases. 

Noting Cuba’s tropical geography and its similarities with many Caribbean destinations, Gomez said these concerns are not unique to Cuba and apply to multiple destinations across the region.

“Mosquitos are common for all tropical climates – they’re not exclusive to Cuba. There were upwards of nine other countries included in Canada’s travel advisory earlier this winter for mosquito-borne illnesses,” he said. 

According to Gomez, Cuba will soon implement a plan for pest control and spraying in all the resort areas.

“The latest data from the Ministry of Health shows a downward trend in the number of cases, so this is good news,” he said.

 

[MoeFOH]

The line that take solid gold cojones... "It’s business as usual,” said Gomez. 

So many layers. 

[JohnnyO]

Communism is based on deception, lies and jedi-mind-tricks. Let's fact check Mr Gomez. Before 2018, Venezuela was the #1 supplier of jet fuel to the US. Good enough for the US but not Cuba. In fact, that Heavy Sour Crude from Venezuela is more efficient in producing diesel and other industrial lubricants that all countries use. The "donations" from Mexico are Venezuelan tankers that shut off their radar once they reach a Mexican port and are transferred to smaller vessels, that are going to Cuba to "donate". No Canadian corporation in their right mind will sell Cuba oil because of the Magnitsky Act set by the US on Cuba. In this act no $$$ can be transferred electronically to or from Cuba. The virus/influenza/mosquito phenomenon knocked out a lot of Cubans in December. I know quite a few that were bed-ridden 30+ days. Some feel better, some have a lot of pain, some didn't make it. Plan to spray? They have sprayed twice in Havana the past 3 months. Terminal 3 in Havana has been on and off without power, sometimes for 2-3 days. Lately its OK, but its cooler there now (70's). So everything they say is smokescreen and mirrors. John

[BrightonCorgi]

I am glad to know the myths are not true.  Thanks for the clarity.