Why You (Legally) Can’t Vacation in Cuba — But He Can

July 15, 2025

The U.S. ambassador visited Varadero and acted shocked by the number of Russian tourists.

But here’s the thing: his own government helped make that happen. Why aren’t people from the U.S. and Europe visiting Cuba anymore? Watch the video to find out. Save, share & follow for more untold stories from the island.

TRANSCRIPT

I’m still traveling around Cuba, this place is full of Russians everywhere, said Mike Hammer, U.S. Chargé d'affaires in Cuba.

Seriously?, Yohan journalist said.

This U.S. ambassador just visited Cuba’s most famous beach resort and acted surprised it was full of Russians. Here’s why that’s exactly what his government helped create, Yohan added.

I’m still traveling around Cuba, in this case in Varadero, but turns out, like the Ladas, this place is full of Russians everywhere, Hammer claimed.

Here’s the thing. The U.S. knows why people from the U.S. and Europe aren’t here.

U.S. restrictions on travel have made it hard for tourists to visit Cuba. So Cuba’s turning to whoever will come. Not by choice. By necessity.

If U.S. officials want to know why Varadero is full of Russians, they should look in the mirror.

It’s illegal under U.S. law for U.S. citizens to visit Cuba as tourists.

That’s right – you’re breaking the law if you want to spend a day at the beach in Varadero

– unless you’re the U.S. ambassador. Also: Trump put Cuba on the U.S.’s “terrorism sponsor” list. Really?

Guess what: Cuba doesn’t sponsor terrorism. This meant many Europeans stopped coming here. Not because they fear Cuba.

Because they fear losing their U.S. visa waiver. Basically, if they step foot in Cuba, they can’t

go to the U.S. anymore without a visa because they could be a terrorist threat…because they went on vacation in Cuba.

I have no words. The good news is that some Europeans still come anyway. And if you’re from the U.S., you can also visit. Just don’t say “vacation” and maybe don’t film yourself in Varadero like Mike Hammer.

Instead, just say you’re here to “support the Cuban people.” For real, that’s legal. At least for now, Yohan Summarized.