An alarming incident occurred on May 3 in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina, when a young Cuban who works as an Uber driver was the victim of a violent attack allegedly motivated by racial reasons, inside his own vehicle.
The victim, Osvaldo Rivera, told the local channel WSOC Channel 9 that he picked up the passenger in the Providence Road area, in the southern part of the city, around 10:30 PM.
"When he got into the car, he was drunk," said Rivera. "I saw that he was drunk."
The man started asking questions about his origin and why he was in the United States.
"It surprised me because no one asks me that question," she added.
Unexpectedly, the customer became aggressive, began to shout racist insults, and physically attacked him.
The meeting was recorded by the camera installed in the car.
"He took off my seatbelt and tried to strangle me with it," the Cuban recounted.
The situation was so serious that the attacker tried to strangle the driver with both hands while using his legs to brace against the seat.
"He was kicking the back of my seat with his feet. He was kicking hard. He kept doing it for about a minute," Rivera detailed.
The aggressor even uttered a chilling phrase: "That's it, kid. Go to sleep."
Fortunately, a private security patrol was nearby and managed to intervene, preventing further consequences. However, the man also attempted to assault the security agents.
"He attacked me because I said I am from Cuba. He heard my accent and then he attacked me," the young man emphasized.
So far, the attacker has not been arrested or publicly identified, reported Canal 9.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police confirmed that this is an active investigation and has not issued any additional statements.
For its part, Uber reported that the user has been suspended from the service. The FBI is also aware of the case and is working in conjunction with local authorities.
Rivera, who has been working as a driver for two years, asks for justice to be served and for such a traumatic experience not to happen to other immigrant workers.
A security expert consulted, Ross Bulla, advised Uber drivers to take additional precautions such as installing cameras, using plexiglass dividers, and always maintaining distance when confronted with signs of danger.
He said that in this type of situation, the advisable course of action is to stop the car as soon as possible and put distance between yourself and the passenger.
"If I were the Uber driver, I would have stopped immediately, gotten out of the vehicle, and called 911," Bull said.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Racist Attack on a Cuban Uber Driver in Charlotte
What happened to the Cuban Uber driver in Charlotte?
The Cuban driver, Osvaldo Rivera, was physically attacked by a passenger in a racist act. The assailant attempted to strangle him with the seatbelt due to his Cuban origin, but the intervention of a private security patrol prevented further consequences.
How did Uber respond to the incident with the Cuban driver?
Uber suspended the user involved in the attack. Additionally, Uber is cooperating with local authorities and the FBI, which is also aware of the case.
What security measures are recommended for Uber drivers in dangerous situations?
An expert in security advises to install cameras, use plexiglass dividers, and always maintain distance in the presence of danger signals. In risky situations, it is advisable to stop the vehicle and distance yourself from the passenger as soon as possible, calling 911 if necessary.
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