Cuba Travel Risk Level

Updated to reflect information on power grid failures and Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licenses for travel. Exercise increased caution in Cuba due to crime and unreliable electrical power . Country Summary: Petty crime is a risk for travelers in Cuba. This includes pick pocketing, purse snatchings, and car break-ins. Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is also on the rise in Cuba. U.S. law and regulation prohibit travel to, from, or within Cuba for tourist activities. OFAC regulates travel to, from, and within Cuba by persons subject to U.S. jurisdiction, defined to include, among other things, all U.S. citizens or residents (wherever located) and anyone in the United States, regardless of their citizenship and nationality. Failure by a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction to act consistently with the regulations may result in penalties and criminal prosecution. Travel to Cuba without an OFAC license is illegal. Cuba's electrical supply is unreliable. Since October 2024, there have been several prolonged nationwide power outages. Scheduled and unscheduled power cuts lasting up to 12 hours occur daily in Havana, and even longer outside the capital. Some large businesses, hotels, hospitals, and institutions use generators during power outages. However, they may have trouble keeping the generators running during a long outage due to the inconsistent and scarce availability of fuel. U.S. citizens in Cuba or those planning to visit should check local news often to stay up to date. In Cuba, peaceful assembly and freedom of speech are not protected rights. U.S. citizens should avoid protests or demonstrations. U.S. Embassy employees must follow a special notification process with the Government of Cuba to travel outside of Havana. This process can impact the embassy's ability to help U.S. citizens in Cuba during emergencies. If a person subject to U.S. jurisdiction travels to Cuba consistent with 1 of the 12 travel cate

FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cuba Protests in Cuba Cuba is experiencing a worsening economic situation with shortages of fuel, electricity, water and basic necessities. This is affecting tourism services and disrupting travel within the country. The situation has led to frequent protests. To date most of these have remained peaceful but be aware that protests can escalate. You should stay away from large gatherings, monitor the media for updates and follow the advice of the local authorities. The situation is also leading to an increase in opportunistic crime, but levels remain lower than in the UK. See ‘Crime’ on the Safety and security page . Power outages and fuel and water shortages The Cuban National Electric grid has collapsed a number of times over the last few months. Given current circumstances, further grid collapses are likely. Low fuel reserves are leading to severe and sustained disruption to essential infrastructure and basic services, including transport, medical care, communications, water supply and street lighting. Authorities have introduced fuel rationing, scaled back public services, and made changes to healthcare, education, transport and tourism operations to conserve severely limited energy supplies. Access to safe drinking water and wastewater management can be problematic. Take precautions by conserving fuel, water, food and mobile phone charge, and be prepared for significant disruption. Travel disruption Cuban authorities have announced that all of its international airports are without aviation fuel. Only Terminal 3 at José Martí International Airport is currently in operation. Some airlines, including all Canadian airlines, Air France, Iberia, World2Fly and LATAM, have suspended flights to and from Cuba. Other airlines are keeping their routes under review. Options for leaving the country could reduce further if the situation worsens. If you are currently in Cuba, carefully consider if your presence is essential. The

France Diplomatie : vigilance normale (vert).

Higher-risk regions — Heightened vigilance: Specific zones carry a higher advisory than the country overall.

Auswärtiges Amt: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (general travel and security advice); no travel warning in effect.