A social media post announcing the upcoming opening of the K23 Hotel, the skyscraper owned by the Grupo de Administración Empresarial S.A. (GAESA), has ignited a wave of critical and indignant comments. The promotion of a business controlled by the top echelon of the Cuban regime starkly contrasts with the country's depressed economic and social reality.
"The time is approaching for the Torre K Hotel to light up the nights of Vedado," announced the company aCuba, which handles phone recharges and shipments to Cuba, on Facebook. At the time of writing, the post had received more than 220 comments in less than 10 hours, most expressing disdain for the million-dollar investment amid the acute crisis on the Island.
Many users highlighted the lack of investment in hospitals, schools, medications, housing, and public infrastructure. Others recalled the destruction of heritage and homes in the capital or the mounds of garbage piling up on its streets. The majority regarded the hotel's construction as an affront to the Cuban people.
"It's close to lighting up that hotel... and every day, we have fewer hopes and fewer desires to live in a country where hunger, sadness, despair, and uncertainty envelop its inhabitants, even stealing the light from their souls. It's deeply saddening," said Danaidi Lorenzo.
"It's beyond sad what ordinary Cubans are going through, living in inhumane misery. The worst part is that we only have one life to live, and it's filled with such needs and deprivations because that's what the tyrannical dictators want. Long live the Cuban people!" responded Hilda Karafotia.
"Beautiful hospital," remarked the Facebook user identified as 'Woody Alguacil Cubano' sarcastically. "Ameijeiras expansion," replied Neysa Amparo García Quiala with equal sarcasm.
"Unfortunately, it's neither a hospital nor housing for the people. It's a hotel and offices for foreigners. The cruel blockade doesn't allow us to build hospitals or homes, only hotels," noted Leslie Cruz caustically.
"It's the monument for the Reordering," joked Viktor Russo. "It's an insult to the people. All of Cuba is hungry, with daily blackouts, no medications... and these good-for-nothings praising the poorly done," protested Aricelys Pérez.
"So it can remain empty, like the others," observed Habana Morales. "Is that hotel so brightly lit at night? If so, the UNE should take measures, along with the relevant Minister of this economic sphere. I'm not saying it; it follows from the recently concluded Assembly. Put your heart into it, we are continuity!" mocked Mayita De La Torre.
"It's like a rechargeable lamp standing in the heart of Vedado... that will illuminate Havana during the blackout," said Kirenia Hernández. "Indeed, many who live in the countryside don't know their electricity will be further reduced to keep it always lit," commented Josefa Ventura.
"With so many homes falling apart!" lamented Tamara Carrillo Azcanio. "We built the Torre K to receive tourists who don't come, while thousands of families live in precarious conditions, sleeping in shelters, with no hope of housing—even as more than two generations have been born there. A beautiful achievement," concluded Miguel Suárez.
"It's a monument to shamelessness in front of the other Havana, the one falling apart, the one with piles of garbage and empty markets. The one with suffering and despair," indicated Joel Labrada.
"A symbol of the ego's grandeur of our fat cats. Building a hotel amid such material and spiritual poverty. A whole country without food, medicine, ambulances, basic necessities, public transport, houses, buildings, and other properties in terrible conditions, many with life-threatening danger, blackouts... and a long list of calamities and a pedestrian life," criticized Josefa Ventura.
"A hotel built with all the money that GAESA robs from the Cuban people. It should be demolished, and with that money, build hospitals, schools, which are desperately needed, and especially supermarkets," proposed Casa Cubana. "Only a laundromat could build such perversity amid so much misery," concluded Antonio Gómez Sotolongo.
The K23 Hotel is owned by the hotel group Gaviota, part of the military business conglomerate GAESA. In October 2023, it was decided that the property would be managed by the Spanish company Iberostar. The building is scheduled to open in 2024, although its initial opening date was planned for April 2022. Its opening will mark the fourth hotel operated by the Spanish chain in the Cuban capital, along with 19 other hotels in the country's main tourist destinations, such as Varadero, Cayo Guillermo, and Holguín.
Recently, the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reported that Cuba received a total of 1,680,485 travelers during the first half of this year. This represents a 101.1% increase, or about 18,845 more compared to the same period last year, according to the report.
The official data has been questioned by economist Pedro Monreal. However, the reality itself exposes the decline of the tourism sector in Cuba, with the country's streets empty of tourists and social media filled with testimonies from foreign visitors complaining about the quality of tourist services and the sadness of visiting a ruined, militarized country without freedom.
Controversies Surrounding the K23 Hotel in Cuba
Given the recent buzz and critical comments surrounding the opening of the K23 Hotel, many questions have arisen about the implications and context of this development. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are Cubans outraged about the K23 Hotel's opening?
Cubans are outraged because the hotel's opening represents a significant investment by the government in luxury tourism, contrasting sharply with the country's severe economic and social issues, including poor infrastructure, lack of basic services, and widespread poverty.
Who owns and manages the K23 Hotel?
The K23 Hotel is owned by the Gaviota hotel group, which is part of the military business conglomerate GAESA. The Spanish company Iberostar will manage the hotel.
When is the K23 Hotel scheduled to open?
The K23 Hotel is scheduled to open in 2024. The initial opening date was planned for April 2022.
How has the tourism sector in Cuba been affected recently?
Despite official reports of increased traveler numbers, the tourism sector in Cuba has been in decline, with many foreign visitors complaining about the quality of services and the country's overall condition.