Germany Issues a Security Alert for Travel to Cuba
Two researchers cancel their stay on the island at the request of the German Academic Exchange Service.
HAVANA TIMES – The German Foreign Ministry has issued a security warning for those planning to visit Cuba. In a notice in force since December 5, it informs travelers of the problems with electricity generation that, in the last two months, have caused at least three total power outages on the island.
Although in these cases the the national power network was eventually restored, “the capacity to produce electricity does not cover the needs,” the note points out. “On October 17, 2024, the Cuban government informed the population of another worsening of the energy situation in the country,” the text adds, attributing the blackouts to other difficulties and referencing “considerable restrictions” that extend beyond the days of total electrical collapse.
The energy instability is causing “water supply problems” throughout the country, restrictions on public activities and also in tourist centres such as the Varadero beach resort in Matanzas, the warning states. Only buildings with electric generators, such as hotels, can enjoy lighting and air conditioning during power outages, it says. Meanwhile, rescue services are functioning only “basically” and the capacity to provide medical care is also restricted.
“Streets and roads are left unlit at night, public transport is not running or is only operating in a reduced capacity. Internet and mobile phone connections are being cut off,” the statement said. “Food refrigeration cannot be guaranteed at all times under these circumstances, nor can a supply of hot water.”
The difficulties that this situation brings to trade and electronic payments are also mentioned by Germany’s Foreign Ministry: “The card payment system and the provision of money from ATMs” also suffer interruptions in their operation and, in these intervals without electricity “only a few banks are open” to which it must be added that the gas stations for refueling “operate only with restrictions.”
“Many public facilities are closed or without air conditioning,” the ministry notes, urging “caution” when planning a vacation on the island. However, “if you want to travel despite everything,” the notice lists elements to take into consideration such as staying informed through local media and social networks about the situation in the country; avoiding moving around in the dark due to the dangers of being assaulted and robbed; and carrying flashlights, candles and batteries to recharge mobile phones during longer power outages.
The news confirms the testimony that a source in the Cuban academic sector sent to 14ymedio this week. Two researchers from the University of Frankfurt were advised by the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service), which financed their stay, not to travel to the island because it is not a safe destination. The women had to cancel their tickets to fly, which they had already purchased and were scheduled to arrive at the end of November.
The warning from the German Foreign Ministry follows the announcement by Condor Airlines that it “will not offer flights to Cuba next summer and will transfer its capacity to destinations that enjoy greater demand.” The statement to clarify why it will stop flying to the island as of this coming May has been another hard blow to Cuba’s Ministry of Tourism’s expectations of travelers from Germany, because it clearly highlights the decline in the popularity of Cuba as a destination.
Translated by Translating Cuba.
My friend and I have traveled to Cuba 20+ times in the last 15 yrs. We have stayed in several different areas, and have been on and off the resort’s day and night. I’ve even jogged off the resort many times and felt completely safe.
You are always greeted beautifully, warmly with a genuine interest in you. They are educated, articulate and the loveliest people. Some of my fondest conversations have been with Cubans.
I recently traveled to the Mayan Riviera where I feel not one of the staff at the resort looked me in the eye or smiled!
We have certainly encountered some lack of certain foods at times (other tourists were complaining there was a lack of bananas one morning! For God sakes people!) we certainly never went hungry, and yes, the electrical issues have been ongoing but generators work and do you really need the AC running all day in your room while you’re at the beach? We wouldn’t do that kind of wasting resource at home!
I always bring some extras for the staff, and one visit my 85 yr old father decided to stay an extra week by himself (he had traveled the world) he said they treated him like he was their own family and he can’t wait to go back because of the people and the absolute beauty of the country. As a Canadian I will keep going to Cuba and supporting their tourism. There is no southern destination like it and even when they are lacking you can see and hear how much they want us to enjoy their country.
Lots of misinformed but interesting comments. If you visit Cuba and spend your time in a resort hotel in Varadero, you are misinformed. If you still see Cuban education and public health care as world class, you are misinformed. If you see the Cuban people and the Cuban government as one in the same, you are misinformed. An earlier comment wondered why foreign volunteer electricians don’t donate their time to help solve the energy crisis in Cuba. Again, you are misinformed. Many commenters continue to blame the US embargo for the problem. This is probably the worst of the misinformation. The US embargo does not leave human garbage on street corners. The US embargo did not build luxury hotels that are 20% occupied while public infrastructure lacked basic maintenance. Finally, the US embargo did not schedule a public march against US imperialism for December 20 when what Cuba needs is food. It has been reported that Cuba needs at least $10 billion in repairs to its power generation facilities. A drop in the bucket to the IMF and World Bank, whose charters are designed for exactly this kind of public assistance. But do you know why they can’t help Cuba? The US embargo? Not this time. It’s because Fidel Castro, in the 1970s, refused to payback tens of millions of dollars to these lenders, forever disqualifying Cuba for international help.
I too like most of your commentators have been to Cuba,and have travelled extensively. The country is beautiful and unspoilt, the people are very like the Irish, open and friendly.It grieves me to see a people have to sacrifice so much. I have to say that the cancer that causes so much deliberate pain is only 50 miles away,its called USA. STILL REELING FROM THE BAY OF PIGS!! “The bully taunts the brave”
I have just returned from Havana after a 6 year absence. Hotels have generators and even some casa particulares have them. Cuba is suffering but no-one is starving. I’m not sure how long this lack lustre government can carry on, especially now that Marco Rubio, can’t wait to put the last nail in the coffin. Cuba should improve tourism. You always feel unwelcome on arrival at Havana airport. Because the VIP lane wasn’t being manned, like most of the others, the airport staff were trying to get their VIP clients to jump the normal lanes. Luckily, most tourists weren’t having it and refused to let them go in front. When I asked why there weren’t more lanes open, the guy replied that it was evening. So? I replied. This is typical of the attitude. The government should be making Cuba the most welcome place in the world. It always feels like you are doing a favour to anyone connected with working for the State. The embargo is ridiculous in today’s age but you can’t help feel that the Cubans often have themselves to blame for their present situation. It is high season and only 20% of hotel rooms are full. There was a report at a luxury hotel in Varadero beach that there were no eggs available even though eggs were available in private shops. The law didn’t allow the hotel to go and buy the eggs from a non state entity. In a way, the Cubans are quite similar to the USA. They have their own internal embargos in place to control their people and even tourists. Sometimes you wonder whether the state actually enjoys the chaos.
You can blame Donald Trump for everything that’s happening to Cuba now. Obama open to the doors for trade and entrepreneurial businesses began to explode. Tourism from the US returned and then suddenly Trump who is the most ignorant human being on Earth decided it was time to label it a terrorist Nation with the likes of Syria which we all know now is free and North Korea and Iran. It just demonstrates how truly ignorant the man is. So once again you can blame 90% of this on Trump and the people who voted him in are only going to get a local Taste of his ignorance. Democracy will disappear and so many other freedoms that people have enjoyed for decades. It’s about to bite them in the ass.
I have been going to Cuba anually since 1999. Things were improving until covid and Russia’s actions. I always take an extra suitcase full of things the Cuban people ask me for, especially medicines and coffee.
Sorry to say but with the Castros gone, Cuba is under poor leadership. The money generated in tourism is not reaching the poor Cuban families.
There is rubbish in the streets, the people are dying of hunger, there are no medical supplies in the hospitals, and the govt does nothing. Too much is invested in building up tourism, but nothing was spent to maintain infrastructure.
The mass exodus has left Cuba without the human resources to help themselves either.
Cuba was such a beautiful place, now it is a shadow of itself.
I have been to Cubs 6 x or.more and I went to Granma province. I feel safe. Last time I went was 2023.
The electricity problem has bern going on for years. Cuba has been offered help to get solar but has done nothing about it. As for fuel. One of the plants that refines the oil had a fire and has not been fixed. Everything is breaking down. Especially more so since the hurricanes and earthquakes.
Does not help that there is still an embargo. Now they can’t even pay their people or get money out of the bank.
When you go to Cuba just have everything you need. Meaning medicine, over the counter and leave it there.
Leave water tablets to purify the water and leave behind.
There are a lot we can bring to Cuba in our suitcases. They need oil to cook. They can’t get sugar, coffee. When you used to get so much of this. Even Cuban cigars to buy was limited.
Yes it has gotten worse. But it is mostly due to the embargo
They got electricity from Venezuela and oil from Russia. But those countries are having issues in their own countries. So it effects Cuba.
But over all will still go there. As I feel safe. I make sure I have batteries. Flash lights. Medicine with me, bring food and apsprin extra to help them out. I also charge their cell phones from a friend that is Canadian and lives part time in Cuba who is married to a Cuban and has a child. Also people use organizations to get food delivered personally and deliver money personally. I trust all these people. As they take pictures to make sure my friends get what they need and not take advantage of people.
Love this country and the people. I have friends there. I communicate with them all the time. So i know what is going one.
We leave in a couple weeks to spend a month in Cuba, like we do every year.. can’t wait. we always bring a suitcase or 2 full of stuff for the Cuban people, not just the resort staff. We will walk around off the resort and hand stuff out. The Cuban people are so nice. Please ignore all the negative things being said about Cuba, just go and enjoy.
More Cubans would go back to Cuba if the government would let them go home with their passports of residents, the cost of and the wait time for their cuban passport is just wrong
It is very sad that no other country can help Cuba restore power and become sufficient they are people just like us very sad situation people should volunteer electrician and power line to go help
Is there a charity that supports the Cuban people? Don’t want to go and steal their very limited resources.
I’m right now in Havana Cuba and I feel safe here I walk around the streets in old Havana alone days and at night enjoy talking to the people of Cuba they are very friendly you can talk to anyone in the street and make friends they don’t run away from you or ignore you when asking questions not like in many western countries people even avoid to look at you,Cuba is the safest place for tourists to visit I’ve been here many times and never had any problems.
Cuban people need the tourism more than ever now. My family is in Granma province, they went through two hurricanes and two earthquakes. Yet the news does not report. I will go as often as I can. I urge people to give their voice to stop the inhumane embargo. The Cuban peope are resilient amazing people.
Well it’s that time of year, hit the Cuban economy where it hurts. These articles, coming from all western media are propaganda pieces designed inflict more regime change hurt on a suffering population killing the 2025 tourist season! The objective tired Cuban lose their will to fight and rise up against their own government.
While cuba supports russia in its illegal invasion, you morons support cuba…think it through
Such a pity. The Cuban people are lovely. Its time the world woke up to their plight. The ordinary people are living 3rd world conditions. The US should cop on and realise they are no treat to usa. It’s time for a little humanity
I just returned from a fantastic vacation in Varedero Cuba Dec 13th. Shortages are not a 3 month problem. Hotels have generators you do a huge disservice to the Cuban people by putting out fear. Cuba had had these issues for years not just last few months. I totally do not trust media.
First trip to Cuba was April 1993.Cubans were not allowed in many hotels nor on many beaches near tourists or in any dollar stores.You have come a long way baby..but the struggle..Lucha..goes on
I brought 10 suit cases this year to Cuba and the street venders are getting worse every time I go. I stay in matanzas, everybody’s starving and have nothing.
I have been to Cuba many times without any fear of being robbed!
Staying at the resorts is safe and has lots of electricity & Food
Obviously some places have a lot more than others. Do not give up on Cuba
Why do you keep saying the last couple months? They’ve had this problem for the last couple of years. And you just tear me about it now. I wish you’d tell people the full Truth. This has been going on since Russia’s invasion. And as we all know, United States doesn’t help either.
Kate that is awesome because Cubans are amazing people and need help. I do the same, bring as much as I can in 2 suitcases and a carry on and come back with only half of a suitcase with clothes in. I go 3 to 4 times a year and never been assaulted or tried to get robbed and I go everywhere at all times of the day. It’s safer there than most countries including Canada and US.
Amazing and I agree CUBA needs us
To Kate above, God bless you for your kind heart. I feel the same way and do the same things. 26 trips and still counting…
I am right now in cuba- varadero.
New hotel resort, planty of food at the resort, nice room, no power outage.
When I was at home, I heared lots of bad things, now I am in Varadero with no shortage and full security
Canada westjetvand one other airline has reduced flights to 2 a week from 6 flight a week to Cuba in both Jan Feb until Cuba fixes the shortage of bottles of water shortage of electricity and certain medications in Cuba
Too many people from Canada were getting robbed as they carry U S cash for things like taxis and rental places
When the banks pays 120 Cuba now s a expensive place instead of 330 pesos to the US $ on the street people with over $590 US $ are a very big target and often get hurt.so so not go outside resorts with more cash than can afford to loose in Cuba or pick another country in my opinion.
I feel sorry for all people working in resorts. If we stop coming, they might lose their jobs.
I don’t know about you, but i will go 2-3 times a year until last plane leave. Yes, food is not great, but people outside of resorts are starving, yes i pay for my vacation, but so bee it. I can be on diet for one week from excellent food in Canada I have for everyday.
I bring lots of things and give it to people. Are they ever happy!
I will never abandon Cuba, because the are in trouble at this moment.
I can’t help much, but everything helps.