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A hotel worker in Varadero returned a bag containing 30 thousand dollars to its owner, an act that has been highlighted by the regime's official press.
The newspaper Trabajadores reported the incident in a piece that specifies that Yarima Merino, a waitress at Playa Caleta, found a bag containing 30 thousand dollars, 400 thousand Cuban pesos, and a "valuable wristwatch."
The discovery occurred when the guest, head of a project in Havana, had finished his stay at the hotel and was about to leave.
Merino told the press that he called the head of security, did not touch anything, and when the executive arrived, they opened the wallet to discover that amount of money inside.
In his account, he added that the owner of the belongings (whose name he did not wish to reveal) arrived at the location where he was summoned, announced the amount that was in the bag, and proceeded to count it.
"There is no reason to take what isn't yours. Not even now, amidst such a tense economic situation. No one should keep what doesn't belong to them," the woman told the state media. "I always convey that to my son; he's 13 years old."
In the midst of the intensified economic crisis, gestures of kindness like this are rare and greatly appreciated.
In July of last year, a young man residing in Santiago de Cuba found a wallet with documents and cards on the street and immediately sought to return it to its owner, without expecting any reward in return.
The protagonist of such a commendable gesture contacted the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who shared on his Facebook wall a photo of an official document where the man's name appears.
In October, a mother also expressed her gratitude on social media towards a young man who, through an altruistic and honest gesture, returned a tablet that her grandson had lost at the Colón road stop in Pinar del Río.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gestures of Honesty in Cuba
What motivated the Varadero worker to return the bag with 30 thousand dollars?
The Varadero worker, Yarima Merino, returned the bag containing 30 thousand dollars because she believes there is no reason to take what does not belong to her, even amid the economic crisis that Cuba is facing. She stated that she always instills these values in her 13-year-old son, emphasizing the importance of honesty in their daily lives.
How has the Cuban government reacted to these gestures of honesty?
The Cuban government has used state media to highlight these acts of honesty, in an attempt to improve the public image of its citizens and counter criticisms of the regime's management. However, these gestures contrast with the repressive policies and the difficult economic situation the country is facing.
Why are these acts of honesty important in the current Cuban context?
These acts of honesty are important because they represent a glimmer of hope and human values amid a severe economic and social crisis in Cuba. Honesty is especially valued in a context where crime and insecurity rates have risen, and where many others resort to criminal acts to survive.
What recent examples are there of similar gestures of honesty in Cuba?
Recently, cadets from the Military Technical Institute returned a backpack containing over 5,000 euros and 3,000 dollars in Havana, and a driver of a "gacela" returned a lost wallet to its owner. These gestures have been widely recognized on social media and in the news, highlighting the presence of human values in Cuban society despite current difficulties.
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