Cuba cancels cigar festival over US oil embargo

Organizers of Cuba’s annual Habanos Festival have postponed the 26th cigar fair until further notice, saying severe fuel shortages and rolling blackouts—linked to tightened U.S. oil restrictions and disrupted Venezuelan shipments—prevent the event from meeting its quality and logistical standards. The cancellation deprives Cuba’s lucrative cigar industry and public coffers of millions from auction sales and exports, has prompted some airlines to suspend services, and comes amid wider postponements of cultural events on the island.

Organizers of Cuba’s Habanos Festival announced the annual cigar fair, due in late February, has been postponed until further notice because severe fuel shortages and rolling blackouts make it impossible to ensure the event’s required service and logistics. Habanos S.A. said the move was necessary to preserve the festival’s high standards, while Cuban officials and organizers have blamed an intensified U.S. economic and oil embargo for the island’s energy collapse. The disruption deprives the tobacco sector and public coffers of important revenue—the industry reported record sales last year and festival auctions can raise millions for producers and public services. Airlines have suspended or rerouted flights amid a lack of jet fuel, and some governments have warned against nonessential travel to Cuba. U.S. actions cited in reports include President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on countries selling oil to Havana, which Havana says has compounded the shortages.

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