US Issues New Security Alert For Caribbean’s Most Cultural Island

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This bucket-list passport stamp is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain, given the unpredictable nature of day-to-day life for locals and tourists alike on the Caribbean’s most culturally rich island.

Unfortunately, the culture has soured like that of stale bread, with numerous instances not exactly a selling point for any tourism board.

Yes, the classic cars and crumbled character of storied plazas remain, but the lack of resources that’s long been a problem has come to a head, resulting in conditions no longer easy to separate from what visitors hope to be a postcard experience.

Cuba’s Fuel Shortages Affect More Than Empty Gas Tanks

Ever feel like you’re running on E? Trust us, we get it…

But that’s not how you should feel on vacation — quite the opposite, actually.

When Journey belted out “When the lights go down in the city. And the sun shines on the bay”, we doubt he was talking about Cuba using the sun’s reflection as a power source.

However, come sundown, tourists may be playing an unwanted game of Who’s Afraid of the Dark.

You see, the US Embassy in Havana reports that power outages have become commonplace.

Major hotels tend to backup generators, but guess what you need when those run out of power…

That’s right — fuel.

Cuba’s laundry list of problems is having a trickle-down effect with no end. Power outages, water supply, lighting, refrigeration, and communications are affecting everyone in Cuba.

Take it from me, who had extreme food poisoning on my 2017 Havana adventure — refrigeration is muy importante if you don’t want to spend 36 hours testing out a poverty-stricken country’s plumbing system.

Fuel shortages are only adding to the chaos, not just for getting around, but also for simply turning the lights on and eating sanitary food in some cases.

The Embassy is recommending travelers take these 5 precautions if visiting Cuba any time soon:

• Conserve fuel (if applicable)
• Conserve food and water food (stock up on nonperishable items)
• Use electronics minimally to save your battery
• Pack a flashlight with spare batteries
• Prepare alternative methods for your medical needs (such as charging medical devices)

Entry Being Denied: Can Americans Even Legally Visit Cuba?

Cuba is one of the trickiest destinations for Americans to visit. We at Travel Off Path hated to be the bearer of bad news, but Cuba is one of 3 destinations we reported Americans being banned from in 2026.

However, there is technically a way you can still visit Cuba. All you have to do is pick one of these 12 permitted categories for Cuba since the White House instituted a 5-year ban in 2025 for Americans treating a Havana trip like Cancun.

That said, the Embassy is also warning about recent entry denials for Americans.

In the Embassy’s own words, this may be a retaliatory decision as there has been ‘a spike in regime-sponsored protest activity directed at the United States, including anti-U.S. rhetoric’.

Is Cuba Safe To Visit?

I don’t know about you, but my family instilled in me that “nothing good happens after midnight”.

But when it’s completely dark in the immediate hours after sunset, ‘midnight’ comes much earlier.

While the Embassy did not specifically mention Americans being victims of crime, it’s reasonable to suggest it’s not the best time to wander Havana’s streets.

For the record, power outages are occurring nationwide, though Havana is almost always the gateway for Americans.

The U.S. State Department currently lists Cuba as ‘Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution’, which is 2 levels away from being declared an absolute no-go zone.

The reason for this ‘Level 2’ declaration largely aligns with the Embassy’s new alert, with the addition of mentioning ‘petty crime’ as a factor.

As you can see, not much has changed, especially given the State Department’s advisory was issued in May 2025.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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