A Canadian tourist reported having been assaulted during her stay at the Blau hotel in Varadero on the night of March 3rd.
The victim's name is Crystal Jardine, and as she recounted on Facebook, everything happened when she was at the beach bar with her husband and a man approached her asking for a cigarette. She gave it to him, and afterward, a woman (presumably the man's partner) confronted her aggressively, accusing her of flirting with him.
"I firmly asked him to leave, and eventually, they did. About 30 minutes later, the man returned from the other side of the bar and, without provocation, punched me in the face. He also physically attacked my husband," she detailed.
To Crystal's dismay, the security at the complex did not stop the attacker, another Canadian guest, and allowed him to return to his room.
"The hotel staff initially did not treat this situation with urgency. I managed to contact the Canadian Embassy, and it was only after I informed the reception about this that the matter seemed to be taken more seriously," she stated.
"I called the police several times, but the calls disconnected every time I mentioned the name of the complex. I eventually received medical treatment at an urgent care center for my injuries, including a swollen shut eye," he added.
At the hospital, the tourist informed the police that she would be pressing charges. They told her they would go to the complex at 9:00 am, but by 6:00 pm, they still had not arrived. After a phone call, she was told that she would have to wait until the following day.
"The lack of transparency and support from both the hotel and local authorities is deeply concerning. The man responsible for the assault is still on the premises, according to the staff, which is incredibly alarming for my safety and that of other guests," he expressed with indignation.
The affected individual remarked that the situation caused her great distress, especially knowing that the assailant was not held accountable.
Back in her country, Crystal, a resident of Ontario, shared her story with CTV News. On March 21, she had still not fully recovered from the black eye left by the punch she received in the face.
She and her husband traveled on February 28 for a five-day stay at a resort in Varadero with Sunwing Vacations, and the incident occurred on the second day of their trip.
On the night of the attack, the assailant hit her, knocked down her husband, and then pounced on him to hit him. He was restrained by the security guards, but instead of detaining him, they only told him to leave.
After she contacted the police, they told her that if she pressed charges, she would have to stay in Cuba.
"I don't have the name of the man; the resort won't give it to me. They did not provide me with an official report of the assault. The only information they gave me is that he was Canadian," she reported.
CTV News contacted Sunwing Vacations, which confirmed the incident. For its part, the resort only stated that the event is under investigation and included witness statements.
Defense attorney Joseph Neuberger clarified that although Jardine cannot file charges in Canada, he can locate the alleged assailant.
"Due to international law, you cannot file any criminal charges against him in Canada, as the jurisdiction is Cuba. Once in Canada, your only recourse, if you knew the personal details, name, address, etc., of the individual, would be to initiate a civil action for assault," he specified.
The tourist wants the man who assaulted her to be prosecuted.
Their only hope is that with the attention of social media, justice will be served and appropriate measures will be taken to protect others in the future.
"It's disgusting that someone could do this, knowing that he is Canadian and that he can do it too. This is all wrong. I want this man to be held accountable for what he did to me," she emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tourist Incidents in Cuba
What happened to Crystal Jardine at the hotel in Varadero?
Crystal Jardine was physically assaulted by another guest while she was at the beach bar of the The Blau hotel in Varadero. The attacker, a man who is also Canadian, struck her in the face and attacked her husband without any apparent provocation.
What was the response of the hotel and local authorities to the aggression?
Initially, the hotel security did not stop the aggressor and did not show urgency in handling the situation. Cuban police were notified, but they took time to respond, and the man responsible for the assault was not arrested immediately, which caused great concern for Crystal Jardine and her family.
What legal options does Crystal Jardine have following the incident in Cuba?
Due to the incident occurring in Cuba, Crystal Jardine cannot file criminal charges in Canada. Her only option would be to initiate a civil action against the assailant if she is able to obtain their personal information, such as name and address.
How has insecurity affected Canadian tourists in Cuba?
Insecurity and the inadequate response from Cuban authorities have generated distrust among Canadian tourists. Instances of assaults, thefts, and poorly managed accidents have been reported, leading some tourists to reconsider their trips to the island.
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