Cuba and Vacationing - the current state of International Affairs and the Domino Effect

[Mandouke]

How much longer will it be ok to go to Cuba with the change that has happened in Venezuela?

I was there last May and was contemplating returning, but I will not, as I see the dominoes falling in the world. I expect Cuba to be one of those dominoes.

It is a tough decision, and I would imagine that things will only worsen over time.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you planning to visit anytime soon? What are your options?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Your post seems focused on the future, how about the present? There is no electricity on most of the island. You want to go on vacation to a tropical climate and have no electricity and not be able to have AC or take a hot shower in the morning?

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-suggests-cuba-should-strike-deal-with-us-2026-01-11/

Havana resident and parking attendant Maria Elena Sabina, a 58-year-old born shortly after Castro took power, said it was time for Cuba's leaders to make changes amid so much suffering.
“There's no electricity here, no gas, not even liquefied gas. There's nothing here," Sabina said. "So yes, a change is needed, a change is needed, and quickly.”

 

[Mandouke]

Your post seems focused on the future, how about the present? There is no electricity on most of the island. You want to go on vacation to a tropical climate and have no electricity and not be able to have AC or take a hot shower in the morning?

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-suggests-cuba-should-strike-deal-with-us-2026-01-11/

Havana resident and parking attendant Maria Elena Sabina, a 58-year-old born shortly after Castro took power, said it was time for Cuba's leaders to make changes amid so much suffering.
“There's no electricity here, no gas, not even liquefied gas. There's nothing here," Sabina said. "So yes, a change is needed, a change is needed, and quickly.”

Your post seems focused on the future, how about the present? There is no electricity on most of the island. You want to go on vacation to a tropical climate and have no electricity and not be able to have AC or take a hot shower in the morning?

https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-suggests-cuba-should-strike-deal-with-us-2026-01-11/

Havana resident and parking attendant Maria Elena Sabina, a 58-year-old born shortly after Castro took power, said it was time for Cuba's leaders to make changes amid so much suffering.
“There's no electricity here, no gas, not even liquefied gas. There's nothing here," Sabina said. "So yes, a change is needed, a change is needed, and quickly.”

Have you been to Cuba?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Have you been to Cuba?

I am going by what is in the Reuters article on current conditions in Cuba- as in right now - see the link I posted. Past conditions are not relevant.

 

[Mandouke]

I am going by what is in the Reuters article on current conditions in Cuba- as in right now - see the link I posted. Past conditions are not relevant.

That speaks volumes, I take it as a no.

 

[anold99]

That speaks volumes, I take it as a no.

Haha, I don't think he has any idea what's over there; chances are he's hardly ever been there. Right now, the situation isn't great, and on top of that, Badoo has stopped working there. It's clear that because of this, women will be cheaper. In Cuban chat groups, people are saying there are power outages, so it's definitely true. Airlines don’t want to go there before summer. I suggest you go to the Dominican Republic or Colombia because you risk getting stuck in Cuba if things get worse.

 

[kstanb]

Things might get nasty there; it was already tough last year (i was there in July), and the problems have increased tenfold

I will not risk a trip there any time soon; I don't want to leave Cuba like Fredo in the Godfather 2

 

[anold99]

Things might get nasty there; it was already tough last year (i was there in July), and the problems have increased tenfold

I will not risk a trip there any time soon; I don't want to leave Cuba like Fredo in the Godfather 2

I didn't have that problem, except that the women were more expensive than I expected and the cost of living is pretty high for a third-world country. As for the sex, though, I have fond memories of it. Right now, it would be a bad idea to go there, there aren't even any return flights available.

 

[EagerBeaver]

In Cuban chat groups, people are saying there are power outages, so it's definitely true. Airlines don’t want to go there before summer.

So basically what I said was 100% true. Did you think I would post bulllshit? Have I ever posted bullshit? After 21,959 posts on MERB since 2003, if I was a bullshitter, you think the Mods would not have banned me by now after 23 years of alleged bullshit posts?

 

[kstanb]

I didn't have that problem, except that the women were more expensive than I expected and the cost of living is pretty high for a third-world country. As for the sex, though, I have fond memories of it. Right now, it would be a bad idea to go there, there aren't even any return flights available.

I was there end of July 2025
it was hot and there were power outages in the casa particular I used for hosting women (at Vedado), at random hours and for many hours. not fun when it is over 40 degrees
Important to say no power outages at my 4 star hotel (Nacional).
Touristic restaurants had shortages of specific foods: impossible to find lobster or beef or chicken
The news of the day was the perpetual maintenance problems at energy plant Guiteras, the biggest on the country (old and derelict and constantly failing)
The other news of the day was that the Turkish power plant ship docked at Havana left due to non-payment during the peak consumption time
Then last december I heard there is a significant dengue and chikungunya fever outbreak, and it had killed some people

That was last year, when Mexico and Venezuela still offered them free or really cheap oil, things were bad then and now they are much worse. I am sure there is still going to be some tourism and some jineteras ready for visitors. But really, I don't want to be there while a revolt or an invasion happen; I don't want to be rescued during vacation times. There are other places with hot sun and hot women, I am starting to research Rio de Janeiro for my next sun vacations

by the way in the news today:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/cuba/article315052027.html

protestors strike communist party HQ in Moron, Ciego de Avila... and I know it is far from the touristic areas, but one of these days a spark while detonate that powder keg that Cuba is... and when that happens I don't want to be there

 

[CaptRenault]

How much longer will it be ok to go to Cuba with the change that has happened in Venezuela?

Why pick the second most undesirable hobbying destination in the world? Go to Iran where prices are probably extremely low right now and they still have electricity. Iranian women, once you remove the hajib, are quite hot.

 

[EagerBeaver]

The Cuban Power Grid has collapsed and the island is in Blackout Mode!

Islandwide blackout hits Cuba as it struggles with deepening energy crisis

Officials in Cuba report an islandwide blackout in the country of some 11 million people as its energy and economic crises deepen.

apnews.com

We are looking at a massive wave of migration out of the country- probably most of them to Canada. Montreal is soon to develop a Little Havana neighborhood. Get set to provide power, food and shelter to these migrants who have been without power, food and basic necessities.

 

[kstanb]

I won't mind getting some fat ass Cubanas,
but I don't think they have a chance to leave the island; it is a long way and they prefer Florida

 

[EagerBeaver]

Cuban Protesters Are Torching Communist Party Headquarters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cuban protesters RANSACK communist party headquarters | Fox News Video

Protesters attack the Cuban Communist Party's headquarters, torching office furniture as a massive bonfire lights up the streets. Cubans are hitting a breaking point as intensifying demonstrations erupt.

www.foxnews.com

They have had enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Womaniser]

Why pick the second most undesirable hobbying destination in the world? Go to Iran where prices are probably extremely low right now and they still have electricity. Iranian women, once you remove the hajib, are quite hot.

Is Trump keeping oil unavailable to Cuba considered as terrorism ?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Is Trump keeping oil unavailable to Cuba considered as terrorism ?

Doesn't have anything to do with their power grid collapsing. Their infrastructure is shit. This is what happens when there are years of neglect of power grid infrastructure. Trump isn't to blame for their problems. The US has embargoed Cuba for many years (since 1962).It didn't start with Trump.

 

[anold99]

How can a government function properly under such a massive embargo while remaining on the same side as the U.S.? They can't be 100% responsible. And if they had done whatever they wanted, I would have said the same thing as you, but it’s unfair to say that. And if the Cuban government were doing whatever it wanted, even without the embargo, I’d be saying the same thing as you, but it’s unfair to claim that.

 

[Mandouke]

Why pick the second most undesirable hobbying destination in the world? Go to Iran where prices are probably extremely low right now and they still have electricity. Iranian women, once you remove the hajib, are quite hot.

If I go to that part of the world, I'll pick another undesirable location, Israel, and eat Kosher.

 

[Smokemeal2]

Is Trump keeping oil unavailable to Cuba considered as terrorism ?

Cuba does not pay, so Trump prefers to sell Venezuelan oil to other countries and funnel the money into his personal bank account.

 

[EagerBeaver]

How can a government function properly under such a massive embargo while remaining on the same side as the U.S.? They can't be 100% responsible. And if they had done whatever they wanted, I would have said the same thing as you, but it’s unfair to say that. And if the Cuban government were doing whatever it wanted, even without the embargo, I’d be saying the same thing as you, but it’s unfair to claim that.

Anold, Cuba has been under an embargo for 63 years, they are an island nation that is easily blockaded, and it never occurred to their leadership in the last 25 years that if they resisted the embargo, solar and renewable energy resources would be vital to the country's power resources? There is no accountability for stupidity? Again, they have the political choice of resisting the embargo, which they have made, but once you make that choice, do you not have some obligation to your citizens to invest balls to the walls in renewable energy? The Cubans are blaming themselves:

Cuba's entire electrical grid collapses, leaving whole island without power

Cuba's power grid suffers total collapse amid fuel shortages and sanctions, leaving the island nation scrambling to restore electricity to millions.

www.foxnews.com

"Betting on renewables isn’t just environmental — it’s a national security necessity."

Reminder of 3 important facts:

(1) Embargo for many years under many US Presidents (63 years) that has been resisted
(2) It's an Island (look at map)
(3) It's power grid infrastructure has been shit for a long time

Let's also not forget that Cuba allowed the Soviet Union to install and point offensive missiles at the USA (which is 90 miles away) in 1962, almost precipitating an international war. This Cuban regime is in bed with bad actors like North Korea and Iran, and you do not think that in the current circumstances they wouldn't allow the same thing to happen or that the USA has not thought of this possibility?