A pilot and co-pilot from a Spanish airline were assaulted in Old Havana

What was supposed to be a routine flight between Havana and Madrid ended in chaos on August 22, when a pilot and a co-pilot from the Spanish airline World2Fly fell victim to an assault in the heart of Old Havana.

According to a report by journalist Javier Díaz on Facebook, the assault left one of the crew members with a skull fracture.

As a result, the trip scheduled for 8:50 PM had to be canceled, which affected dozens of passengers who were already in the check-in process.

The attack not only grounded an international flight but also highlighted the increasing climate of insecurity in Cuba, where robberies have become more frequent, even targeting foreigners.

Old Havana, traditionally portrayed by the regime as one of the safest tourist destinations on the Island, was the setting for an incident that has sparked alarm both domestically and internationally.

Affected passengers recounted moments of uncertainty and confusion.

According to testimonies shared on social media, many were taken early in the morning on tourist buses to different hotels in the capital, including the Parque Central, where they spent the night without clarity about what had happened or certainty about when they would be able to travel.

"They took us from one place to another, exhausted, without really knowing what was happening. In the end, they provided us with accommodation, but the tension was already present," explained one affected individual.

Meanwhile, World2Fly managed to reschedule the flight for the following day, but the incident revealed the fragility of the state apparatus in ensuring safety, even in areas critical to the national economy.

The incident has sparked harsh criticism regarding the lack of security measures and the inaction of the police.

Social media users claim that this is not an isolated incident: thefts and assaults, even in central and tourist areas like the so-called historic center of Old Havana, have increased in recent months without any effective responses from the authorities.

The news has also impacted the international perception of Cuba as a tourist destination.

In a context where the sector is facing a historic crisis, violence against foreigners—combined with the scarcity of services, inflation, and the structural issues of the Island—threatens to drive away potential visitors.

For many Cubans, what has happened is a clear symptom of the social deterioration the Island is experiencing.

The assault on the crew members was not just an attack on land; it was also a severe blow to international tourism, one of the few sectors that the regime is trying to keep afloat amid the crisis

Insecurity, combined with institutional neglect, threatens to empty even more planes departing from Havana.

Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity and Tourism in Havana