Spanish hotel chain Meliá is leaving Cuba because of legal and financial hurdles from US sanctions

Spanish hotel chain Meliá announced it will cease all operations in Cuba, effective Friday, citing significant operational, legal, economic, and financial difficulties. This decision follows new U.S. sanctions imposed on July 13, which blacklisted Cuba's Ministry of Tourism, a business partner for many of Meliá's remaining hotels on the island. Previously, Meliá had already suspended management of 15 hotels due to U.S. sanctions on GAESA, a Cuban military-business conglomerate. Meliá's withdrawal is a blow to Cuba's tourism industry, which has already seen a decline in arrivals and the departure of other international hotel chains and airlines. U.S. sanctions against companies operating in Cuba involve asset freezes and financial market restrictions.

The Spanish hotel chain Meliá is ceasing all operations in Cuba by the end of the week. The company cited "major difficulties" in doing business on the island due to increasing pressure from Washington. Meliá stated that new US sanctions make it "impossible" to maintain operational stability. This decision affects all 34 of Meliá's sites in Cuba, where it was a significant foreign hotel operator. The company plans to ensure a smooth transition for staff, suppliers, and clients. Meliá was the first Spanish hotel group to operate in Cuba after the country opened its tourism sector to foreigners in the 1990s.