Ecuador and the Emirates seal economic alliance despite tense context

May confirms the downward trend

Cuba received only 30,800 foreign tourists in May, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI). The figure represents a year-on-year drop of 41.6% and a slight rebound compared to April.

In the first five months of the year, 359,491 international visitors arrived, 505,706 less than in the same period in 2025. Canada continues to be the main issuing market, with 126,239 tourists. They are followed by Cuban emigrants (60,874) and travelers from the United States (25,572).

Russia, Mexico, Argentina and China also show sharp declines. European countries such as Italy, Portugal and Germany left the top 10. Spain and France only contributed 8,106 and 7,525 visitors, respectively.

The drop has been constant: from 184,833 tourists in January, it fell to 77,663 in February and 35,561 in March.

Factors that aggravate the crisis

Starting in June, the situation will worsen with the departure of foreign hotel companies that operated alongside Gaviota, from the GAESA conglomerate. Dozens of facilities will be out of service. The hotel occupancy rate in the first quarter of 2026 fell to 12.9%, well below the 23.7% of the previous year.

In addition, most international airlines canceled flights due to critical fuel shortages, following the end of shipments from Venezuela and Mexico, and in the face of threats of sanctions from Washington.

In 2025, Cuba received just over 1.8 million foreign visitors, far from the projected 2.6 million. In 2024, 2.2 million arrived and in 2023, 2.4 million. The figures reflect a sustained deterioration in the sector, hit by the lack of fuel, the departure of international companies and lower global demand.

The United States and Iran closed a provisional agreement that seeks to end the armed conflict and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategic maritime routes on the planet. The understanding also contemplates extending the fragile ceasefire in force in the region, amid years of military and political tension.

What does the pact contemplate?

The announcement opens the door to a formal signing next Friday in Switzerland, although authorities acknowledge that previous similar attempts have failed. As of Monday, the final content remained in dispute, especially on issues of regional security, nuclear verification and conditions for the lifting of sanctions.

The crisis between both nations has deep roots, from the Iranian nuclear program initiated with international cooperation to the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Since then, relations have been marked by diplomatic ruptures, economic sanctions and indirect clashes in the Middle East. The new agreement could mark a turning point, but doubts remain over its implementation.

Reactions in Israel

Israel is experiencing an intense internal debate after the provisional agreement between the United States and Iran. The pact has generated widespread criticism across the political spectrum, who consider it a strategic setback.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet issued an official position. Meanwhile, opposition figures, former officials and analysts react harshly. They point out that the Israeli government overestimated its ability to influence Washington’s strategy during the conflict with Tehran.

Another point of complaint is that the agreement could limit Israel’s freedom of military action, especially on the Lebanon front, where tensions with Hezbollah persist. Government sectors warn that resuming attacks could complicate the relationship with the United States.

International analysts point out that the pact alters the power dynamics in the Middle East. Israel would come under greater strategic pressure. Furthermore, the eventual partial lifting of sanctions on Iran would strengthen its economic and military capacity in the medium term.