The organizers of Cuba's annual cigar fair, scheduled for the last week of February, announced the postponement of the event, amid the United States oil blockade, which is causing blackouts, a serious fuel shortage and disruptions in the island's important tourism sector. In addition, the limited electricity generation available for peak hours this Saturday leads to simultaneous service cuts in 56% of Cuba.

First modification: 02/14/2026 - 18:26Last modification: 02/15/2026 - 03:30

The energy crisis in Cuba, greatly aggravated by the United States oil blockade, is causing multiple effects, which exceed the electrical service. One of its blows is the suspension of the traditional Habano Festival, Cuba's annual cigar fair.

Habanos S.A., the event's organizing company, announced this Saturday the postponement of the emblematic event, scheduled for February 24 to 27, with the objective of "preserving the highest quality standards." At this time, a new date has not been announced.

"The priority of the Habano Festival is to offer its participants a comprehensive experience at the level of the relevance and prestige that this event represents at an international level. The postponement of its celebration is a measure aimed at protecting said experience and guaranteeing its excellence," the organization stressed.

The firm, a joint company between the state-owned Cubatabaco and the international Altadis, holds a world monopoly on the sale of Cuban cigarettes. And every year it holds the Festival, which brings together fans and distributors from all over the world, with activities that include visits to tobacco plantations, auctions and sales of crafts.

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Last year, the event closed with an auction in which $18 million was paid for a batch of coveted handcrafted cigars. The company also reported record sales of $827 million last year.

However, this crucial sector for the island's economy is suffering its worst crisis in three decades, aggravated by the energy strangulation imposed by the United States.

The Habano Festival joins other cultural events postponed this month, including the Havana International Book Fair, which was to be held from February 12 to 22.

Fuel shortages have also affected tourism on the island, with some agencies canceling trips due to the government closing some hotels and relocating tourists in a bid to save electricity. Likewise, three Canadian airlines canceled flights this week to Cuba due to the impossibility of refueling at Cuban airports.

More than half of Cuba is left without electricity this Saturday

Cubans live one more Saturday in the midst of blackouts. 56% of the country will be without power simultaneously in the evening, when consumption increases, as reported by the state company Unión Eléctrica de Cuba (UNE).

The UNE, belonging to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, foresees a generation capacity of 1,389 megawatts (MW) and a maximum demand of 3,100 MW for the peak demand time of this day.

The deficit will be 1,711 MW and the estimated impact, what will actually be disconnected to avoid disorderly blackouts, will reach 1,741 MW.

The genesis of the energy crisis began in mid-2024 and has been complicated since January 3, 2025, after the US intervention in Venezuela that led to the capture of Nicolás Maduro, a decisive ally of the Cuban Government.

This situation caused the cutoff of the supply of Venezuelan oil, which covered almost a third of Cuba's energy needs, according to local media.

Added to this is the poor state of the thermal power plants, with accumulated years of exploitation, and the Cuban Government's lack of foreign currency to purchase fuel.

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Currently, 10 of 16 operational thermoelectric production units are out of service due to breakdowns or maintenance, including two of the three largest. This energy source represents around 40% of the energy mix in Cuba.

This sector, completely in the hands of the State since the triumph of the revolution in 1959, suffers from underfinancing, according to independent researchers, who estimate that between 8,000 and 10,000 million dollars would be needed to clean up the electrical system.

The Cuban Government points out the impact of US sanctions on this industry and accuses Washington of "energy asphyxiation."

In late January, President Trump issued an executive order threatening tariffs on countries that sell oil to Havana, declaring that Cuba represents an "exceptional threat" to American national security.

Mexico, which is part of these countries, had been Cuba's main oil supplier with almost 44% of total imports, followed by Venezuela with 33%, according to data from Kpler, a maritime trade monitoring platform.

The Cuban government announced emergency measures that include the adoption of a four-day work week for state-owned companies and restrictions on the sale of fuel.

With AP and EFE

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