Cuba has indefinitely delayed its internationally renowned Habanos Cigar Festival due to a severe fuel shortage crisis that has plunged the nation into economic turmoil. The organizing committee announced the postponement on Saturday, citing the country’s “complex economic situation” exacerbated by the longstanding U.S. trade embargo.
The five-day festival, originally scheduled for late February in Havana, typically attracts over 1,300 participants from approximately 70 countries. The prestigious event features exclusive cigar tastings, factory tours, plantation visits, and a high-profile auction of premium cigars considered among the world’s finest.
Cuba’s current energy crisis has resulted in power outages lasting up to 18 hours in some regions, severely impacting hospitals, water pumping stations, and essential services. The fuel shortage has also affected aviation capabilities, prompting several international airlines to suspend or reduce flights to the island. The United Kingdom and other nations have subsequently issued travel advisories against non-essential visits to Cuba.
Cuban authorities attribute the crisis to the seizure of oil shipments from Venezuela, their longtime ally and primary fuel supplier, combined with the enduring U.S. economic, commercial, and financial blockade that has been in effect since 1960 following Fidel Castro’s revolution. No alternative date has been proposed for the rescheduling of the festival, which represents a significant blow to Cuba’s international tourism and premium tobacco industry.