Since early February, the U.S. has effectively implemented an oil blockade on Cuba, using its navy to divert tankers bound for the country while threatening sanctions. This has caused a humanitarian crisis that the U.S. hopes will topple Cuba’s left-wing government.
Canadian airlines stopped flying to Cuba in mid-February, but as of late March, the Cuban government was still urging Canadians — who make up 40 per cent of tourists to Cuba —to keep visiting the Caribbean nation. Travellers have still been able to get to Cuba via the U.S., Mexico and Central American airports.
“[Tourism provides] billions of dollars into their economy, and the effects of [losing that are] felt by every single person in Cuba,” says Samantha Hislop, co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba.
David Barlavi, owner of Piña Tours and CubaABC.com, tells The Grind that “while vehicle traffic on the island is down and there have been more, and longer, blackouts than usual, as of mid-March, tourists in Cuba have felt significantly less of the chaos than Cubans themselves.” Barlavi says he has organized “moonlight romancing, flashlight dancing & bicycle taxiing” activities “to make sure clients understand Cuba is an even more unique and exciting travel destination now than before.”
Some groups have been organizing solidarity trips to Cuba, bringing suitcases filled with medical supplies and other forms of aid.