El Gobierno cubano se muestra abierto al plan de un inversor árabe para desarrollar la ‘Isla Trump’

The Cuban government appears open to an Arab investor's plan to develop "Trump Island" on Cayo Santa María, a small island off the country's northern coast. The resort would feature two towers with golden domes, turning Cayo Santa María into Trump Island or La Isla Trump. This proposal deviates from the government's stance against foreign investment for over half a century, which has now changed due to the dire economic crisis Cuba is experiencing.

The plan also aligns with the recent escalation of the Cold War between Washington and Havana, with the latter placed under sanctions in January.

As a result of the sanctions, international companies have pulled out of Cuba, including the Canadian mine Sherritt, the hotel chains Meliá, Iberostar, and Blue Diamond, as well as the German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, the Spanish airline Iberia, and major corporations like Visa and Mastercard. Faced with the looming isolation, the Cuban government has begun signaling its openness to all suggestions that could help the country overcome its crisis.

The idea of naming a Cuban island after the U.S. president surfaced in June during a meeting between tourism sector officials and investors.

The project includes the possibility of investing in inactive hotels, empty cruise terminals, underutilized coastal areas, and the country's 18 international airports and 10 international naval bases. The investor, Ali bin Haidar, President of the Abdulla Ali bin Haidar Group based in Dubai, is leading the push to bring Trump Island to life.

Haidar has already signed a letter of intent with the Cuban government to acquire land in Cayo Santa María. However, a response from the other side is pending, and formal agreement with the Trump family has not been reached. If confirmed, construction of the luxury hotel would begin at the end of this year, with Cuban workers and specialized foreign supervisors involved.

The government's open stance on the project has not raised significant objections, according to Viceminister of Foreign Relations Carlos Fernández de Cossío. He stated that Cuba has no specific reason to exclude such proposals, provided they are carried out peacefully and in compliance with Cuban laws.