Cuba announced the cancellation of the 2026 edition of Habano Festivalone of the most emblematic events in the country, in a context of profound energy and economic crisis that Havana attributes, in large part, to the tightening of United States policy. The decision was communicated to participants by the event’s organization, the state-owned Habanos SA, in a message to which France Presse (AFP) had access.
The festival, scheduled to take place between February 24th and 27th, was postponed without a new date. According to the organization, cited by AFP, the decision was taken “with the aim of preserving the highest standards of quality, excellence and experience that characterize this international event”.
O Habano Festival It annually brings together aficionados, traders and specialized journalists from all over the world and culminates in an auction of luxury cigars and humidors that brings in several million dollars. In 2025, this auction generated approximately 19.5 million dollars (16,5 million euros) funds channeled to the Cuban health system.
The cancellation comes at a time when the island faces severe fuel shortages after the United States stopped supplying oil from Venezuela, following the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. US President Donald Trump also signed an executive order that allows Washington to apply tariffs to countries that sell oil to Havana.
The lack of fuel has already led international airlines, such as Air Canada, to suspend flights to Cubawhile several governments have advised their citizens to reconsider trips to the island.
The Cuban president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, accused Washington of wanting “suffocate the Cuban economy”, remembering that the country remains subject to the North American embargo in force since 1962.
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