Panic in beautiful country as tourists abandon Cuba after Donald Trump move

Donald Trump is seemingly killing tourism in a beautiful country renowned for its vibrant culture and colourful streets as hotel rooms lie vacant. Cuba is one of the 19 countries listed in Trump's latest travel ban, and the move was aimed at reversing some of the measures introduced by the Biden administration which eased US pressure on the Communist-run country.

Shortly after being sworn in to his second term, Trump reinstated Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, which had been lifted just days before by the then-President, Joe Biden. The US President cited several reasons for this decision, including Cuba's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, its alleged failure to adequately co-operate with U.S. law enforcement, and its historical refusal to accept back its nationals who are subject to removal. US citizens are banned from travelling to Cuba solely for tourism activities, under the partial travel restrictions it is subject to.

Further restrictions have been imposed which prohibits residents from the US from doing business with GAESA, a conglomerate run by the Cuban military who owns many of Cuba's hotels.

The Cuban military owns or manages 50% and 80% of the country's business revenue.

Hotel Torre in Havana is one such hotel that is affiliated with this regime, and despite being the tallest building in the capital, business is grinding to a halt.

In 2024, the occupancy rate was below 30%, last year it was surrounded by mountains of garbage, the Independent reports.

Cuba is going through the biggest migration wave in its history with its population dwindling significantly. Since 2022, the island has lost up to 25% of its population as young people and families pack up their lives and move in hope of a better life.

The economic sanctions imposed by the US have been blamed by the government in Havana for the country's decay.

Tourism remains far below pre-pandemic levels. During the first five months of 2025, tourism to the island was down 27% compared to 2024, and down 62 per cent compared to 2019.

These factors have left Cuba with below 10 million people, a number "similar to what Cuba registered sometime in 1985", according to Juan Carlos Alfonso Fraga, deputy head of the National Statistics and Information Office (ONEI).

Juan points to an 18% decrease in population between 2022 and 2023.