Meliá Hotels to Exit Cuba

Meliá Hotels International announced on Tuesday that it will shut down all 34 of its properties in Cuba by the end of the week, citing the United States’ latest sanctions under the Trump administration as the decisive factor. In a statement filed with the Spanish stock‑market regulator, the hotel chain said the new restrictions made it “impossible, de‑facto and de‑jure, to maintain even minimal operational stability” on the island.

The group’s decision follows a broader U.S. policy tightening on Cuban businesses, which has forced several foreign investors to reassess their presence. Meliá’s statement highlighted the “major difficulties” it faces in complying with the sanctions while continuing to operate, and noted that the measures effectively severed the company’s ability to conduct even basic day‑to‑day business activities in Cuba.

With the closure of its Cuban portfolio, Meliá will exit the country entirely, a move that is expected to impact the island’s tourism sector and reduce the number of international hotel options available to visitors. The announcement underscores the growing pressure on foreign companies operating in Cuba amid ongoing U.S. sanctions.