In Havana the economic crisis causes the cigar festival to be suspended

Havana’s annual cigar festivalscheduled for 5 days at the end of February, has been postponed to a later date due to the worsening of the economic and energy crisis on the island. Habanosthe event’s organizer, announced the suspension on Saturday “with the aim of preserving the highest standards of quality, excellence and experience that characterize this international event.” The organizing committee, writes CNBC, has made it known that it is working to identify new dates, without further details. In past years the festival has welcomed more 1,000 guests from about 80 countries: auctions for the most valuable products, visits to tobacco plantations and tours of the production areas stand out in the program. Cuban cigars remain a key product for the island’s economy, among the main sources of hard currency, even though they are illegal in the United States due to the trade embargo.

On the industrial front, Habanos reported record sales of $827 million in 2024, up 16% from the previous year. The postponement comes as Cuba faces severe fuel shortages and several blackouts, amid US pressure on crude supplies. In recent days, a fire also broke out in Havana at the “Nico Lopez” refinery, with a column of smoke visible from the bay. The United Nationsaccording to the secretary general’s spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, warned that if oil needs were not covered, the humanitarian situation could worsen drastically to the point of “collapse”.