Cuban cigar festival called off as US blockade worsens energy crisis

February 14, 2026

Cuba's prestigious annual cigar festival, the Festival del Habano, has been indefinitely postponed from its planned late February dates due to severe economic hardships stemming from US sanctions and fuel shortages. The Caribbean nation is experiencing extended power outages lasting up to 18 hours daily, partly caused by American seizure of Venezuelan oil shipments that previously supplied Cuba with approximately 35,000 barrels per day. The festival typically draws over 1,300 international visitors from roughly 70 countries who come to experience Cuban cigars, tour tobacco facilities, and visit plantations.

Who is affected

The 1,300+ annual attendees from around 70 countries who planned to participate in the festival
The Festival del Habano organizing committee
Cuban cigar producers and tobacco industry workers
Cuban citizens experiencing power cuts up to 18 hours daily
Hospital emergency wards, dialysis patients, and pumping stations affected by power outages
Airlines that have suspended services to Cuba
Venezuela, Cuba's ally whose oil shipments have been seized

What action is being taken

The Festival del Habano organizing committee is working on setting a new date for the postponed event
The US is seizing oil shipments from Venezuela to Cuba
Several airlines are suspending services to Cuba
The UK and some other countries are warning against non-essential travel to Cuba

Why it matters

This postponement highlights the severe humanitarian and economic impact of US sanctions on Cuba, demonstrating how restrictions affect not only Cuba's economy but also its cultural and international events. The fuel shortage is causing extended daily power outages that threaten critical services like hospitals and dialysis treatments, affecting ordinary citizens' health and safety. The situation illustrates the broader geopolitical tensions between the US and Cuba that have persisted since 1959, with recent actions by the Trump administration reversing previous diplomatic progress. The festival's cancellation also represents a significant blow to Cuba's limited international tourism revenue, further straining an economy already suffering under decades-old embargoes.

What's next

The organizing committee is working on setting a new date for the festival (though no specific date has been announced yet)
Festival organizers hope to wait until conditions have improved before rescheduling
President Trump has urged Cuban leaders to "make a deal" or face unspecified consequences

Read full article from source: BBC