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- Daughter of WWII veteran sells door poppies to support local Legion
- Trump offers UFC CEO Dana White the White House press secretary position
- British citizen among six killed in shooting at Krakow market square
- Gunman opens fire in Kraków market square killing six and injuring fifteen
- Paraguay’s former president Santiago Pena charged following banking scandal
- Canadians opt for costlier holiday destinations as Cuba flights are suspended
- House and Senate midterm races remain undecided as ballots are counted
- Shoppers urged to discard Baxters soup at risk of bursting can closures
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Daughter of WWII veteran sells door poppies to support local Legion
1:00 am
What’s the Latest: Daughter of WWII veteran selling ‘door poppies’ to support local Legion
Margot Rockett is selling her handcrafted “door poppies” in Toronto to support the local Legion as Remembrance Day approaches. All proceeds from the $10 poppies, which are officially licensed, will benefit her Legion branch at Coxwell and Gerrard, with funds staying in the community to support local veterans and their families.
Margot Rockett’s door poppies, sold for £10 each, are officially licensed by the Royal Canadian Legion, ensuring compliance with a strict trademark policy. All proceeds from the sales support her local Legion branch at Coxwell and Gerrard, aimed at aiding veterans and their families in the community.
Margot Rockett’s “door poppies,” which are officially licensed by the Legion, are generating significant community support, with proceeds directed towards local veterans and their families at the Coxwell and Gerrard Legion. Vice-president Shelley Lyons noted that Rockett’s initiative is crucial for the branch’s poppy campaign, especially as they seek to encourage more widespread remembrance amid decreasing public participation.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many door poppies have been sold or the total amount raised for the local Legion.
Daughter of WWII veteran sells door poppies to support local Legion
As Remembrance Day approaches, Margot Rockett, a resident of Toronto, is responding to increased demand for her handcrafted “door poppies.” These large, wreath-like poppies, designed to hang on doors, have gained popularity following a viral trend on TikTok. “It’s a bigger, bolder way to say I remember,” Rockett stated.
Rockett created the door poppy as a tribute to her father, who served in the Air Force during the Second World War. Reflecting on her father’s care at the Sunnybrook Veterans Centre, she expressed gratitude, stating, “They took such good care of him and I really wanted to give back to the Poppy Fund and to the Legion.” The creation of the door poppy emerged during the pandemic as a modified version of a previous flower design.
The door poppies, priced at £10 each, are officially licensed by the Royal Canadian Legion. Rockett remarked, “It’s a very rigid, strict policy because it is a trademarked image, and I respect that because they have to protect the poppy.” All proceeds from sales will benefit Rockett’s local Legion branch at Coxwell and Gerrard, ensuring that funds remain within the community to support veterans and their families.
The initiative has garnered support from the Legion, with Vice-President Shelley Lyons acknowledging its significance to their fundraising efforts: “It’s huge income for us.” She expressed concern about the declining number of people donning poppies on Remembrance Day, suggesting that a “lack of education and just memory knowledge” might contribute to this trend.
Rockett continues to produce door poppies around the clock to meet the heightened demand, expressing her commitment to the cause. “I think if my dad were here, he’d be really proud,” she said, highlighting the personal impact of her charitable work.
Trump offers UFC CEO Dana White the White House press secretary position
11:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Trump says he offered UFC CEO Dana White the White House press secretary role
President Trump has offered UFC CEO Dana White the position of White House press secretary in a post on Truth Social. It remains unclear whether White has accepted the role, although he shared an image of himself at the White House press briefing room podium with the caption, “On to the next chapter.”
The press secretary position has been unfilled since 16 October, following the dismissal of Katie Zacharia after only five days. Dana White’s post suggesting his potential acceptance of the role has led to varied interpretations, prompting inquiries from WTX US News to both the White House and UFC for clarification.
President Trump stated in a Truth Social post that he has offered Dana White the role of White House press secretary, expressing his hope that White would accept the position. It remains uncertain if White will respond to the offer, with reports suggesting that his recent Instagram post about the press briefing room may have been made in jest, and WTX US News has reached out to the White House and UFC for further clarification.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain whether Dana White has accepted the offer to become press secretary.
Trump offers UFC CEO Dana White the White House press secretary position
President Trump says he has offered the open White House press secretary role to UFC CEO Dana White.
The president said Saturday in a Truth Social post, “I am pleased to announce that the Great Dana White, a violent Fighter and Warrior, has been offered the job of Press Secretary of the United States.”
“I have requested that he bring with him assistants, even though some are not from our Country, of Islam Makhachev, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Justin Gaethje, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes, and Kayla Harris. We need these people to defend us against the Lunatic Left,” he said.
It was unclear at the time of publication whether White has accepted the position, though he shared an image of himself at the White House press briefing room podium to his Instagram story with the caption, “On to the next chapter.”
Reporting from at least one media outlet suggested that the post may have been made tongue-in-cheek. WTX US News has reached out to the White House and UFC for additional comment.
Ian Maule / Bloomberg via Getty Images 
The president’s remarks come days after Democrats swept the midterm elections, taking control of the House and the Senate.
The press secretary role has been vacant since Oct. 16, when conservative commentator Katie Zacharia was removed from the job after just five days. Zacharia was Mr. Trump’s pick to fill the role after Karoline Leavitt stepped aside in August, saying she wanted to spend more time with her young family.
As the chief of Ultimate Fighting Championship, running a global league valued at more than $15 billion, White has been a longtime supporter of Mr. Trump and attended his inauguration. The White House also hosted an Ultimate Fighting Championship in July on the South Lawn to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. The event coincided with Mr. Trump’s 80th birthday.
“Dana will be a Press Secretary like none other. Dana, please take the job!” Mr. Trump said in his post.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
British citizen among six killed in shooting at Krakow market square
10:00 pm
Get you up to speed: British citizen among six killed by ‘far-right’ gunman in Krakow market square shooting | News World
A shooting occurred in Krakow, Poland, where six people, including a British citizen and three Polish nationals, were killed and at least 16 others wounded, including two police officers. The suspect, a 25-year-old Polish citizen allegedly influenced by far-right ideology, was shot and neutralised by police after firing at random people from his car in the busy main market square, Rynek Glowny, at around 3pm local time.
The investigation is being conducted by local police, supported by agents from the Internal Security Agency, who are present at both the shooting scene and the gunman’s family home. Authorities reported that the gunman had many firearms in his car and home, raising questions about the extent of his weaponry and the legal circumstances surrounding his firearm permits.
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the incident as a ‘tragic shooting’ and emphasised the need to refrain from exploiting the situation, while Krakow’s mayor, Lukasz Gilbala, has declared a period of mourning until Wednesday. The Polish government is expected to enhance security measures and review gun laws in response to public outcry over the incident, which has shocked a nation where mass shootings are rare.
What remains unclear — It is not known how the gunman obtained the firearms found in his vehicle and at his home.
British citizen among six killed in shooting at Krakow market square
Police are investigating a shooting in Krakow, Poland, after six people – four women and two men – were killed and at least 16 were injured, including two police officers.
One of the victims was a British citizen. Another three were Polish.
The gunman, a 25-year-old Polish citizen allegedly ‘influenced by far-right ideology’, drove onto Krakow’s busy main market square, Rynek Glowny, at around 3pm local time.
He then started ‘firing at random people from his car’ before he was ‘shot and neutralised’. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition.
Poland’s interior minister Marcin Kierwinski said: ‘Everything points to the fact that the gunman was influenced by far-right ideology.
‘Police officers are on-site, as are agents from the Internal Security Agency, both here at the scene and at the individual’s family home.’
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Six people have died after a shooting in Krakow (Picture: AP Photo/Beata Zawrzel)
The interior minister added ‘many guns were found’ inside the car the shooter, who had ‘very radical views’, was driving.
Additionally, two women and a man were found dead at the gunman’s home, which also contained ‘quite a lot of guns’. The deceased are believed to be his family members.
Numbers have continued rising, as it was previously said that five had been killed and a dozen were injured.
Residents were seen fleeing amid the panic and were instructed to avoid the area, while a crisis response team was set up at the city hall.
Paramedics treated victims near St Mary’s Basilica, and an air ambulance helicopter was sent to the square.
What we know about the shooter
The gunman is known to have used a long military-style rifle and wore ‘military-style attire’, according to spokesperson Katarzyna Cislo.
Store windows were damaged as residents and tourists rushed inside to safety (Picture: Agencja Wyborcza.pl via Reuters)
The gunman exchanged fire with police before he was taken down (Picture: EPA)
She said he had ‘many pieces of weapons and ammunition’ in his vehicle, which was inspected for pyrotechnic devices, but Polish Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz firmly denied that he was a soldier in the Polish Army.
‘The man was not and is not a soldier in the Polish Armed Forces and has never had anything to do with the military,’ he stated.
Police identified the shooter as an Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski resident who had a permit for two firearms.
The suspect was shot at several times by police before being detained, but he ‘returned fire’, leading to the two officers sustaining injuries.
One officer was shot three times, leaving him in a critical condition and needing surgery.
‘I’ve never witnessed such panic’
Speaking to daily newspaper Gazeta Krakowska, one person recalled: ‘My wife called. She works at the Main Square. She said someone was shooting a gun in the square. People started running into the shops in panic. Then, apparently, a policeman shot someone.’
Locals expressed their shock, since public shootings are rare in Poland (Picture: Reuters)
An eyewitness, Alexander, also told tabloid Fakt: ‘We were walking to a store and heard gunshots. Suddenly, we turned around, and people started running. Tourists from other countries didn’t know what was happening.
‘We heard about 20 shots, ran into the store, the lady closed the door, and we waited a moment. I’ve never witnessed such panic. People were running into stores to hide.’
He added to TV Republika that he saw the shooter driving a black Subaru, with another witness having seen him ‘loading his machine gun’.
‘I don’t think he was firing blindly; these were deliberate shots,’ they speculated.
‘He had a sort of police mask on and goggles on. Then he shot at the church and fled towards Grodzka Street. Everyone was running away from there, people in horse-drawn carriages.’
Emergency and political response
The head of Poland’s fire service said the situation has demonstrated the ‘enormous responsibility’ responders take on each day.
‘Police officers, firefighters and emergency medical teams put their own lives and health at risk, standing where others must flee,’ said Brigadier General Andrzej Bartkowiak.
The shooter used a long military-style rifle (Picture: Agencja Wyborcza.pl via Reuters)
‘It is in moments like these that we see the true meaning of the words: service, courage and sacrifice.
‘I extend my special appreciation to the injured police officers.’
Prime Minister Donald Tusk called it a ‘tragic shooting’ and said he is being ‘kept informed by the Minister of the Interior’ of the investigation into its motive and circumstances, urging colleagues not to ‘exploit’ the incident.
Deputy Prime Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz posted on X: ‘For us, the residents of Krakow and the Malopolska region, these are particularly difficult times.
‘I extend my deepest condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.’
Polish President Karol Nawrocki added that he is ‘deeply concerned’ and called ‘the safety of Poles an absolute priority’.
Krakow’s mayor, Lukasz Gilbala, has signed an order to declare a period of mourning until Wednesday.
Poland has tight gun laws and modern firearms require permits (Picture: EPA)
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said in a statement that he is ‘shocked and saddened by the appalling shooting’: ‘My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their lives, everyone injured and all those affected by this senseless violence.
‘The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with the people of Poland.’
Tom Rose, the US ambassador for Poland, further expressed solidarity in the aftermath of the ‘horrific’ shooting, describing it as a ‘savage and murderous attack that’s shattered the peace of Poland’.
He penned: ‘What we know so far is that several innocent precious lives were viciously cut down on a Saturday afternoon in Kraków’s historic and iconic central square.
‘America stands with Poland at this dark hour as Poland stands with her beloved citizens of Krakow. May the blessed memory of those lost today assuage the grief of those who mourn.’
Public shootings are rare in Poland due to gun laws being stricter than in other countries, such as the United States, and modern firearms requiring a police-issued permit based on a specific, documented reason.
Daniel Tilles, editor-in-chief of a Krakow-based news outlet, explained that ‘these sorts of things don’t happen here’.
‘Poland has a very low rate of gun ownership compared to other countries, even in Europe,’ he told Sky News. ‘Violent crime in general is rare.
‘In Poland, this kind of mass shooting is unheard of.’
Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland, and the historic Rynek Glowny is at the heart of the city’s Old Town.
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Gunman opens fire in Kraków market square killing six and injuring fifteen
8:03 pm
Media Lens: Gunman opens fire in Kraków market square killing six and injuring fifteen
A gunman opened fire in Kraków’s main market square, resulting in six fatalities and at least fifteen injuries. This incident occurred in Poland, highlighting a tragic attack in a public space.
Quick links: What has happened | Status quo | Confirmed facts | Preconceptions | Elisions | One story, four angles | Related links
What has happened
A shooting incident occurred in Kraków’s main market square, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and leaving 15 others injured. The attack took place during a busy time when many people were present in the area, prompting a rapid response from local law enforcement.
Authorities reported that the gunman targeted victims indiscriminately, leading to panic and chaos among the crowd. Emergency medical services were deployed to assist the injured, while police conducted an investigation and secured the scene to prevent further violence.
Status quo
A shooting occurred in the main market square of Kraków, Poland, resulting in six fatalities and injuries to fifteen individuals. The incident has garnered significant media attention and has prompted responses from local authorities and police. The investigation continues as details surrounding the circumstances of the shooting emerge.
Confirmed facts
- A shooting occurred in Krakow, Poland, resulting in at least 6 deaths and 15 injuries.
- The attack took place in the main market square of Krakow.
- The gunman is reported to have killed four women and two men.
- Initial investigations suggest that the gunman may have been inspired by far-right ideology.
- Law enforcement officials have confirmed the incident and are investigating further.
Preconceptions
- AP News prioritizes the immediate aftermath of the shooting in Kraków, highlighting the number of casualties and the chaotic scenes in the main market square.
- BBC emphasizes the suspect’s potential ideological motivations, focusing on connections to far-right ideology which provides a deeper context to the narrative.
- CNN has a broader approach, reporting on law enforcement’s response and citing police statements while giving general updates on the situation without delving into the motives.
- Reuters centers on the specifics of the attack, detailing the identities of the victims and where they were shot, whereas AP explores the impact of fear and insecurity in the city.
Elisions
- AP News reports that the shooter opened fire in Kraków’s main square, killing 6 and injuring 15; however, it lacks specific details on the shooter’s motivations and background, which BBC covers by stating the shooter is believed to have been inspired by far-right ideology.
- CNN highlights that victims included both men and women, but does not provide details on their identities, while Reuters identifies that four women and two men were killed, giving more context to the human impact of the tragedy.
- BBC’s coverage mentions a particular government minister’s response regarding the motivations of the shooter, which is absent in the AP News report. This gap in analysis regarding governmental statements affects the understanding of public safety and political reaction.
One story, four angles
AP News – Gunman opens fire in Polish city of Krakow, killing 6 people and injuring 15
Publication: AP News | Intensity: (7/10) | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: The focus is primarily on the immediate aftermath of the shooting, highlighting the casualties and the chaotic scene in Krakow.
Key differences:
1. In contrast to BBC, AP emphasizes the toll, stating, “killing 6 people and injuring 15,” putting the human impact front and center.
2. Unlike CNN’s more detailed background analysis, AP sticks to basic details, which may lead readers to overlook the broader implications of this violence.
3. While Reuters follows with further implications about security, AP focuses strictly on the event, which might downplay the ongoing threat narrative.
Bias: Selection: Focuses only on current casualties without broader political context | Language: Neutral but lacks context on motive | Omission: Fails to mention potential links to extremist ideologies.
Assessment: Readers may initially believe there is an ongoing, significant threat without understanding the larger background.
BBC – Krakow shooting updates: Gunman who killed six believed to have been inspired by far-right ideology, minister says
Publication: BBC | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: This piece focuses on the ideological motivations behind the shooting, prompting readers to contemplate societal implications beyond just the event.
Key differences:
1. Unlike AP’s straightforward approach, BBC emphasizes the “far-right ideology,” leading readers to consider root causes.
2. In contrast to Reuters, which mentions the immediate crime scene, BBC dives deeper into the suspect’s profile, stating such beliefs influenced his actions.
3. While CNN provides a broader timeline of events, BBC focuses on implications and motivations, suggesting a long-term issue with far-right ideologies in Poland.
Bias: Selection: Gives preference to ideological implications over immediate facts | Language: Strong language framing the shooter as ideologically motivated | Omission: Lacks broader perspectives from law enforcement on potential preventive measures.
Assessment: Readers might initially believe there’s a widespread ideological violence threat that needs urgent addressing.
Reuters – Polish gunman kills four women and two men in Krakow’s main square
Publication: Reuters | Intensity: (9/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: Medium
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Espresso Shot: Readers are directed to focus on the gender and demographic breakdown of the victims, emphasizing the tragic loss of life.
Key differences:
1. Contrary to AP’s mention of casualties, Reuters specifies the breakdown, stating “four women and two men,” which personalizes the tragedy.
2. Different from BBC’s ideological focus, Reuters entwines casualty details with urgency, enhancing emotional appeal.
3. While CNN discusses the event’s aftermath, Reuters maintains a sharp focus on the crime itself, potentially trivializing broader implications.
Bias: Selection: Prioritizes victim identities over potential motivations | Language: Sensationalist terms could evoke stronger emotional responses | Omission: Lacks discourse on mental health or preventive actions that could have addressed potential threats.
Assessment: Readers may initially believe they are confronted with a serious crisis involving targeted violence against specific demographics.
CNN – At least 6 dead in shooting in the main market square of Krakow, Poland, police say
Publication: CNN | Intensity: (8/10) | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: Medium
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Espresso Shot: Readers are drawn to the scale of violence, indicated by the confirmed number of fatalities and injuries.
Key differences:
1. While AP sticks to the basics, CNN emphasizes a police perspective by attributing information on casualties directly to law enforcement authorities.
2. Unlike BBC, which highlights motives, CNN recalls local reactions, emphasizing how the community responds to the trauma.
3. Different from Reuters’ focus on specifics, CNN encompasses broader responses, such as community grief and outrage.
Bias: Selection: Enhances community narrative while sidelining motive considerations | Language: Employs a slightly alarmist tone in referring to “at least 6 dead,” implying unpredictability | Omission: Lacks mention of mental health considerations in addressing gun violence.
Assessment: Readers may initially perceive an ongoing urgent threat, shaped by real-time updates from law enforcement.
In the coverage of the Kraków shooting, AP News adopts a straightforward approach, focusing on the casualties with a neutral tone. BBC’s framing escalates concerns by linking the gunman’s actions to far-right ideology, creating a narrative around extremism. Conversely, CNN emphasizes the chaos of the event with dramatic language, heightening emotional response. Reuters presents a balanced account yet highlights the criminal details, suggesting a crime-centric lens. Ultimately, AP News provides the most factual framing, while BBC and CNN display the most escalatory narratives. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Related links
AP News
Gunman opens fire in Polish city of Krakow, killing 6 people and injuring 15
BBC
Reuters
Polish gunman kills four women and two men in Krakow’s main square
CNN
At least 6 dead in shooting in the main market square of Krakow, Poland, police say
Paraguay’s former president Santiago Pena charged following banking scandal
7:00 pm
Get you up to speed: Paraguay’s ousted president charged over banking scandal
Former President Santiago Pena of Paraguay has been charged with breach of trust and administration for personal gain after being impeached related to the collapse of Ueno Bank, leaving nearly half the country without access to their savings. Pena spent the morning at the attorney general’s office in Asunción for questioning and is currently under house arrest.
Prosecutors have also requested pretrial detention for both Santiago Pena and Carlos Carvallo following charges of breach of trust and administration for personal gain. As of Saturday, the central bank reported that 1.2 million customers had received partial or full reimbursement of their insured deposits, while protests continued across Paraguay amid public anger and frustration over the ongoing situation.
Paraguay’s former President Santiago Pena has been charged with breach of trust and administration for personal gain following his impeachment over the Ueno Bank collapse, which has left millions unable to access their savings. In response to the ongoing crisis, newly sworn-in President Pedro Alliana has pledged to assist those affected, while demonstrations continue to escalate, with protesters demanding swift action and accountability.
What remains unclear — It is unknown how long it will take for all customers to receive reimbursement for their deposits.
Paraguay’s former president Santiago Pena charged following banking scandal
Economy|BanksParaguay’s ousted president charged over banking scandal
Santiago Pena was impeached over the collapse of Ueno Bank, which left millions unable to access their accounts.
Published On 7 Nov 20267 Nov 2026
Published On 7 Nov 20267 Nov 2026Paraguay’s former President Santiago Pena has been charged after spending the morning at the attorney general’s office in Asunción for questioning, a day after being impeached over his alleged involvement in a banking scandal that has left nearly half the country unable to access their savings.
The former president, who was placed under house arrest on Friday, was charged over the scandal. The Reuters news agnecy reported that Pena was charged with breach of trust and administration for personal gain.
The scandal centres on Pena’s ties to Ueno, a digital bank that grew rapidly during his presidency, partly through an injection of more than $800m in public funds, and attracted millions of customers.
The bank’s collapse has prompted days of protests across Paraguay, with thousands taking to the streets demanding access to their savings. Some demonstrations have turned violent, with protesters clashing with police.
Pena, who held a stake in Ueno’s parent company until March 2025, has denied wrongdoing, arguing that the bank’s problems were a regulatory matter.
What is Pena accused of?
Among the allegations against Pena are that he used his political influence to direct hundreds of millions of dollars in public funds into Ueno while shielding the bank from regulatory scrutiny as concerns grew over its risky lending practices.
They point to his appointment of Carlos Carvallo, a former executive at the company that later became Ueno, as head of Paraguay’s central bank in 2023. On Saturday, Carvallo was charged with breach of trust, producing false public documents and administration for personal gain.
Pena is further accused of allowing Paraguay’s state pension fund to deposit $355m at Ueno, above legal limits.
Pena had offered his resignation on Thursday, but lawmakers rejected it and pressed ahead with impeachment proceedings to prevent him from having the political immunity he would have gained had he stepped down.
An arrest order was issued shortly after he was removed from office.
On Saturday, after announcing the charges, prosecutors are also seeking pretrial detention for both Pena and Carvallo.
Bank collapse sparks political crisis
The scandal erupted after regulators took control of Ueno on Tuesday over concerns about its solvency, leaving nearly three million people unable to access their savings or use their bank cards.
Paraguay’s central bank said Saturday that 1.2 million customers had already received partial or full reimbursement of their insured deposits.
But that has done little to quell public anger, with many still waiting for their money back. Some protesters have also expressed frustration over Pena’s replacement, Pedro Alliana, who belongs to the same conservative Colorado Party and is himself under investigation in connection with the bank’s collapse.
Alliana, who was sworn in as president on Friday, has pledged to help those affected.
Canadians opt for costlier holiday destinations as Cuba flights are suspended
6:00 pm
What’s the Latest: Canadians choosing pricier destinations over Cuba amid crisis: travel agents
Canadian airlines have indefinitely suspended flights to Cuba due to severe fuel shortages triggered by the United States‘ oil blockade. Travel agents report a notable shift in Canadian travellers opting for pricier destinations like Mexico and the Dominican Republic as a result.
Canadian airlines indefinitely suspended flights to Cuba earlier this year following the U.S. oil blockade that resulted in severe fuel shortages. Statistics Canada reported a significant decline in Canadian visits to Cuba, dropping from over a million annually before the pandemic to approximately 127,000 in the first quarter of this year.
In response to ongoing travel disruptions due to the U.S. oil blockade on Cuba, the Canadian government continues to advise its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to the island. As travel agents report a significant decline in bookings for Cuba, clients are shifting their preferences to alternative destinations such as Mexico and the Dominican Republic, leading to earlier reservations for better pricing.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how the suspension of flights and the U.S. oil blockade will impact Cuba’s long-term tourism recovery.
Canadians opt for costlier holiday destinations as Cuba flights are suspended
As the winter holiday season approaches, Canadian travellers are increasingly turning to more expensive destinations, moving away from Cuba. This shift follows significant travel disruptions caused by the United States’ oil blockade, which resulted in fuel shortages on the island and led Canadian airlines to suspend flights indefinitely. Travel agents report that Canadians are exploring alternatives, with Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean locales seeing a surge in interest.
Ashley Harold, a travel agent at Flight Centre Canada, noted that “Canadians are really spreading their winter travel across a much wider mix of destinations.” She mentioned cruise options and tours to warmer places like Costa Rica and Peru as attractive prospects for those seeking sunny escapes. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in domestic tourism, with Canadians opting to explore local winter destinations.
Statistics Canada indicates a significant decline in Canadian visits to Cuba; from over a million annually before the pandemic, numbers dropped to approximately 700,000 in 2025, with only 127,000 visits recorded in the first quarter of this year. The decline followed the imposition of the oil blockade and a subsequent travel advisory from the Canadian government, which continues to recommend avoiding non-essential travel to Cuba.
John Wood, president of Durham Travel, reported a dramatic fall in travel sales to Cuba, dropping from over $389,000 last year to just $24,000 this year. In contrast, sales for the Dominican Republic have increased significantly, reflecting a shift in Canadian holiday preferences. “The Dominican Republic appears to have absorbed most of the difference from Cuba,” Wood stated, while also addressing concerns regarding crime in Mexico.
As prices for all-inclusive packages rise, travellers accustomed to Cuba’s affordability may need to adjust their expectations. Harold highlighted that trips to popular Caribbean destinations have increased in cost, with comparable trips to Mexico and the Dominican Republic averaging around £1,800. She concluded, “I think this is a great opportunity for Canadians to branch out a little bit more with their travels and experience something new.”
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