South Korea has issued an urgent travel advisory for all of Cuba as the island’s deepening energy crisis triggers severe disruptions to transportation, healthcare and communications nationwide. The move, announced in Seoul on February 13, 2026, reflects rising global concern that prolonged power and fuel shortages are pushing Cuba toward a broader humanitarian emergency and upending what was once a steadily recovering tourism market in the Caribbean.
South Korea Raises Cuba to Level 2 Travel Caution
South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has elevated its travel alert for Cuba to Level 2, a “travel caution” advisory that covers the entire country. The decision, which took effect at 5 p.m. local time on Friday, came after weeks of mounting evidence that Cuba’s energy system can no longer guarantee stable electricity, transportation or basic services across large parts of the island.
In a statement reported by major Korean outlets, officials said power and fuel shortages are degrading “living conditions in transportation, healthcare and communications.” Authorities urged South Korean nationals who are considering a trip to Cuba to carefully reassess their plans and to avoid non-essential travel. Citizens already in the country have been asked to exercise heightened vigilance, monitor local developments closely and stay in regular contact with the nearest South Korean mission or consular service.
The travel alert is part of a graded system that ranges from Level 1 “attention” to Level 4 “travel ban.” Level 2 typically signals that conditions in a destination are no longer reliably safe or predictable due to political unrest, crime, natural disasters or, as in this case, systemic failures in critical infrastructure. While the advisory stops short of instructing South Koreans to leave Cuba, it underscores that the government now regards travel there as carrying elevated and unusual risk.
An Energy Crisis Years in the Making
Cuba’s current turmoil is rooted in a severe fuel shortage that has been building for months and, in some respects, for years. The island’s aging power grid has long struggled with underinvestment and chronic maintenance problems, leaving it vulnerable to breakdowns. These structural weaknesses have now collided with a sharp reduction in imported oil, turning intermittent blackouts into routine and prolonged outages.
Recent government and independent reports describe a generation shortfall measured in the thousands of megawatts, leaving large swathes of the country without power for hours or, in some cases, most of the day. Shortfalls of this magnitude are forcing rolling outages that affect not only households but also hospitals, water systems, telecommunication networks and the transport sector. The result is a cascading crisis that touches nearly every aspect of daily life.
Cuban officials blame external pressure, particularly from the United States, for tightening the flow of oil shipments to the island. Analysts note that Cuba produces only a fraction of the fuel it consumes and has historically depended on politically aligned partners for the rest. With those supplies disrupted and alternative sources constrained, the government has moved into triage mode, prioritizing scarce fuel for what it calls “vital” services and cutting deeply into everything else.
Transport Disruptions Leave Tourists and Residents Stranded
Among the most visible impacts of the energy crunch are sweeping disruptions to transportation. Authorities in Havana have acknowledged that interprovincial bus and train services have been scaled back sharply, with some routes operating on limited schedules and others suspended entirely. Long queues have formed at gas stations where fuel is sporadically available, and urban public transport is increasingly unreliable.
The aviation sector has been hit just as hard. Cuban aviation officials and foreign regulators warn that jet fuel supplies are running critically low, forcing airlines to cut or reroute flights. Canadian carriers and several European and Russian airlines have already reduced their operations, in some cases operating only return services to evacuate tourists. Others are diverting planes to neighboring Caribbean hubs to refuel, lengthening travel times and adding uncertainty to already fragile itineraries.
For travelers, these disruptions can mean sudden cancellations, extended delays and abrupt changes of airport or route. Crowded departure halls, minimal information and limited on-the-ground support have been reported, particularly outside Havana. Even within the capital, getting to and from airports has become more complicated as taxi and bus services grapple with fuel rationing.
Tourism Under Strain as Hotels Close and Services Scale Back
Cuba’s tourism industry, a rare bright spot in an economy under heavy strain, is now facing intense pressure from the energy crisis. In an effort to conserve fuel and electricity, the government has begun closing or “consolidating” hotels and other tourist facilities, moving guests to a reduced number of properties where power supply can be more reliably maintained.
Industry sources describe a rapid process of shutting down selected hotels and relocating international visitors, often with little notice. While officials present this as a temporary optimization of resources during the high season, the closures are a stark signal of how deep the shortages have become. Some travelers have found themselves shifted to lower-category accommodations or to resorts far from their original destinations, complicating ground arrangements and excursions.
Blackouts and fuel rationing have also affected the quality of services at operating hotels. Many properties are relying more heavily on generators, which are expensive to run and subject to fuel availability. Air conditioning, elevator service, hot water and restaurant operations may be intermittent, especially in more remote areas. Staff shortages, driven in part by reduced public transport and a shortened workweek for state enterprises, are adding to the strain.
Healthcare and Communications Face Mounting Pressure
The energy shortfall is not only a tourism story. It is also placing Cuba’s healthcare system and communications networks under significant stress. Hospitals and clinics require continuous power to operate essential equipment, maintain cold chains for medicines and vaccines, and support basic sanitation. While authorities are directing fuel to keep these facilities functioning, intermittent supply and aging backup generators leave many institutions working under emergency conditions.
Public health experts warn that frequent power cuts can disrupt surgeries, diagnostic tests and routine treatments, amplifying risks for patients with chronic illnesses or acute conditions. Rural clinics and smaller hospitals are especially vulnerable, as they may not have robust backup systems or sufficient staff to cope with repeated outages. The government has urged citizens to avoid unnecessary hospital visits and to conserve resources wherever possible.
Telecommunications are also affected. Mobile networks and internet services depend on a combination of grid power and backup systems, both of which are under strain. Users across the island report patchy coverage, slower data speeds and periodic loss of service as power cuts knock out local infrastructure. For foreign visitors, this can make simple tasks like confirming flights, contacting tour operators or checking government advisories far more complicated.
Humanitarian Concerns and International Reactions
The escalating crisis has drawn concern from international organizations and foreign governments. The United Nations has warned that continued restrictions on Cuba’s access to fuel could push the country toward a broader humanitarian breakdown. The organization points to growing evidence that power cuts and fuel shortages are disrupting food distribution, water treatment and waste collection, in addition to healthcare and transport.
In recent weeks, countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and now South Korea have updated their travel advisories for Cuba, urging their citizens to exercise caution, reconsider non-essential trips or prepare carefully for serious disruptions on the ground. Some governments are also working with airlines and tour operators to ensure that tourists already in Cuba can leave safely if necessary.
At the same time, Havana insists that it is implementing emergency measures to protect essential services and stabilize the situation. These steps include a shortened workweek for state-owned enterprises, stricter fuel rationing, and the closure of selected public and tourist facilities. Officials frame these as temporary sacrifices required to preserve the country’s “vitality,” though they acknowledge that the coming weeks are likely to be difficult.
What the Advisory Means for South Korean and Other International Travelers
For South Korean nationals, the new Level 2 advisory is a clear signal to weigh the risks of travel to Cuba with unusual care. While it does not impose a legal ban, the government’s guidance to avoid unnecessary trips and to exercise special caution reflects its assessment that conditions could deteriorate further with little warning. Travelers who nevertheless decide to go should be prepared for an environment in which basic assumptions about power, fuel and mobility may not hold.
Those already in Cuba are being encouraged to stay in close contact with family, tour operators and their embassy or consular representatives, and to maintain flexible plans. Keeping copies of travel documents, carrying extra essential medications, and building in ample time for transfers and connections are all advisable given the risk of transport disruptions. Many travelers are also reconsidering excursions to remote regions where energy and transport infrastructure are more fragile.
The implications extend beyond South Korea. As more countries adjust their travel advisories, insurance coverage, package tour operations and airline schedules may change accordingly. Prospective visitors from Europe, the Americas and Asia could find that options for reaching and moving around the island are significantly curtailed, even if they are willing to accept a reduced comfort level in terms of hotels and services.
Planning Ahead: Practical Considerations for Anyone Eyeing Cuba
In light of the deepening crisis, travelers considering Cuba in the near term should approach planning with a high degree of caution and flexibility. Booking fully refundable flights and accommodations, confirming the reliability of backup power at hotels, and understanding cancellation policies is more important than ever. Travelers may also wish to consult their government’s latest advisories multiple times before departure, as classifications and recommendations can change quickly.
On the ground, visitors should be prepared for limited air conditioning, sporadic internet connections, and fewer options for transport and organized tours. Carrying cash in widely accepted currencies, packing essential medicines and supplies, and downloading offline maps and critical documents before arrival can help mitigate some of the uncertainty created by power and communications disruptions.
For many, the combination of South Korea’s urgent advisory, the broader wave of international warnings, and the evidence of worsening shortages across Cuba will be reason enough to postpone trips. Others may still be drawn by the island’s culture and landscapes, but will need to calibrate expectations carefully. What is clear is that Cuba’s energy emergency has become a central factor in travel decision-making, and that, for now, safety and basic reliability must take precedence over the allure of a Caribbean getaway.