Situation report from recent visit to Cuba
Campaign News | Wednesday, 25 February 2026
Dave John with members SNTC (National Union of Cultural Workers) executive in February
Equity Executive Committee member Dave John reports on his recent visit to Cuba
I’ve just returned from Cuba having spent 12 days on a solidarity visit on behalf of my union Equity. I spent most of my time in Havana but I also travelled outside the city for a short break. I travelled there during a time of serious difficulty for the Cuban people following the recent intensification of the Blockade by the Trump administration and the blocking of fuel supplies to the island.
Even though the fuel shortage is evident the authorities are prioritising tourist services as visitors to Cuba at this time are incredibly important to their struggling economy. I had no issues at all with travel or food shortages. I took a tourist coach from Havana and back to the airport a few days later and I saw many other tourist coaches on the road.
Within Havana there were fewer taxis in service and the prices are rising due to the fuel blockade but I didn’t use taxis. There are many bici taxis around either using pedal power or electric. I found a reliable young man with an electric bici taxi who took me everywhere I needed to go.
Most Cubans are on WhatsApp so once you have a number you can contact them directly. I highly recommend getting a Cuban sim card for when you arrive.
I had a meeting with our sister Trade Union in Havana and they were extremely pleased to receive a solidarity visit particularly at this difficult time. International solidarity really means a lot to them and in my opinion there’s never been a more important time to go to Cuba.
There are power cuts everyday in some areas and our meeting was held without the lights on as the union are doing everything they can to save power for the people in Central Havana who seem to be the worst hit by the power cuts.
In my 12 days in Havana I didn’t suffer a single power cut in either Hotel Inglaterra or the flat I rented in Old Havana. Cuba is clearly doing everything possible to ensure tourist services are maintained. There were no food shortages in the hotels, the live music continues with the usual energy, and the staff at the hotels are as welcoming and warm as ever and delighted that people are still visiting Cuba. That is what keeps them employed.
The General Secretary of SNTC, Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores Culturales, (The National Union of Cultural Workers) was very keen for us to attend their May 1st events particularly this year due to the current situation and the Fidel Castro centenary and they also invited us to their Congress later this year.
Unfortunately we’re not in a position to attend both for various reasons but we’re hoping to attend their Congress. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back for the May Day celebrations. The Cubans are as always incredibly resilient as well as resistant to the threats coming from the US. They will appreciate our presence this May Day more than ever and I can see no reason not to attend… quite the contrary.
As I was leaving my meeting with our sister union I saw solar panels being brought in to the building. This is one of the ways with how they are dealing with the latest fuel blockade with help from China. Following my visit I believe they will not ‘give up’, their heads won’t drop, and even though everyday is a challenge and there are shortages of many things, they just carry on. They deserve trade union solidarity now more than ever.
What I did see is a clear drop in regular holidaymakers eg from Canada and some tourist hotels have closed. There seems to be a visible increase in solidarity visits from many other countries. Humanitarian aid is arriving and there is a surge in support and solidarity for Cuba with many visitors arriving with suitcases full of medicine and other supplies which is really heartening.
Air Europa rerouted our flight home via Santa Domingo to fill up with fuel which simply meant the flight left an hour earlier from Havana so that we could arrive in good time at Madrid for the connection. It was all very smooth.
Dave John, Equity, Executive Committee member, 24 February 2026
Read CSC's latest briefing on Why travel to Cuba matters now more than ever
