Cuba will postpone its world-famous annual cigar fair this year due to fuel shortages caused by a US oil embargo, organizers announced Saturday.
The island has experienced long power outages over the past few weeks.
In an official statement, the fair's organizer and global monopoly on Cuban cigar sales, Habanos SA, said the decision was made to "maintain the high quality standard of the event."
The fair is a key event for cigar enthusiasts and distributors worldwide, where attendees visit tobacco plantations, participate in auctions and witness the latest craftsmanship.
The Habanos SA statement did not set a new date for the 26th edition of the cigar fair.
Last year, the event closed with an auction in which $18 million was paid for a set of highly coveted, hand-rolled cigars.
The company also reported record sales of $827 million in 2025.
The fuel shortage has also hurt tourism on the island, with some agencies canceling trips while the government closes hotels and relocates tourists to save electricity.
Several cultural events, including a book fair, have also been postponed.
In late January, US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on any country that sold oil to Cuba, as Washington puts more pressure on the island's communist leadership to implement political and economic reforms.
Cuba imports about 60% of its energy supply and has long relied on Venezuela and Mexico for most of its oil, which has been cut off by US actions.Telegrafi/
