The Cuban Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero Cruz, admitted before the National Assembly of People's Power on Wednesday that a staggering 73% of Cuba's hotel facilities remain closed. This situation has left approximately 25,000 workers in a state of limbo, meaning they are at home without full employment. Marrero pointed to the acute fuel shortages and the tightening of U.S. sanctions as primary contributors to the tourism sector's collapse throughout 2026. This exodus of international operators was accelerated by Executive Order 14404, signed by President Donald Trump on May 1, 2026. In response to this situation, Marrero announced that 10 out of the 13 planned transformations for the tourism sector have already been approved.