"They left us in hell": Cubans in Syria denounce abandonment by the embassy

Several Cubans residing in Syria have reported neglect from the Havana embassy in Damascus following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in early December 2024, an event that sparked widespread chaos and an increase in violence in the country.

Through testimonies shared with Martí Noticias and 14yMedio, Cuban citizens have expressed their desperation over the lack of support and assistance from the Cuban diplomatic mission as they confront a context of extreme insecurity.

Susel Gavira, a resident of Tartus on the Syrian coast, recounted how her family has been left stranded. "They left us here lost, in hell, without offering a helping hand, without telling us anything, as if we were not their people. I have acquaintances from Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, and all the embassies reached out to them, except ours," she remarked.

Gavira, who belongs to the Alawite minority, explained that the situation has become untenable for his family, particularly due to the insecurity they are facing.

"I can't send them to school because I don't know what will happen to them. My daughter is 17 and my son is 15. It terrifies me," she expressed with distress.

Gavira's complaint was supported by his sister, Sawsan, who lives in the city of Jableh. In a message sent to Martí Noticias, Sawsan emphasized that the family remains trapped in their home, living in constant fear.

"We just want to save our lives. We want to be taken out. We are in the house with the doors closed and living in fear 24 hours a day. I want to know if there is anyone who can help us get out of Syria," she stated.

Samir Jesús Mahmoud Gavira, another family member, also made an urgent appeal through a video shared by 14ymedio and sent to Martí Noticias.

Samir, who is in Tartus, described the situation, stating that "there is no electricity or internet, we barely have candles. Weapons are in the hands of everyone: men, women, children. Banks, government institutions—anything is being looted. I don't know what I'm going to do. We need to get out of here as soon as possible," he said.

The conflict in Syria has resulted in over 231,000 deaths and numerous civilian casualties. After more than a decade of war, the rebels managed to overthrow Bashar al-Assad, yet the situation remains chaotic, with armed factions controlling different areas of the country. In this context, the Cuban population in Syria has felt particularly vulnerable.

The evacuation efforts, on the other hand, have been limited. The Cuban government recently evacuated its diplomatic staff, relocating them to the Cuban Embassy in Lebanon, where they are safe. However, Cubans residing in Syria have not received any similar support.

"Everything is canceled. My family had already started the process at the Spanish consulate to obtain nationality, but now everything has come to a halt," lamented Samir Gavira. In his message, he also called on the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, to consider the situation of Cubans in Syria and to provide international assistance.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government has remained silent regarding the allegations. President Miguel Díaz-Canel, in a message on X, expressed his concern about the events in Syria and called for respect for the country's sovereignty and the security of diplomatic missions, but he has not addressed the lack of assistance for Cuban citizens in Syrian territory.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Abandonment of Cubans in Syria and the Response from the Cuban Government