An Italian tourist reported being the victim of a scam during a bicycle taxi ride in Old Havana, where, according to his account, two men charged him an exorbitant fee for a journey of just a few blocks.
The case, reported by CubaNet on X, once again highlights the decline of the tourism experience in the Cuban capital and the increasing climate of insecurity faced by visitors.
"I've been deceived, I've been scammed," the man repeated as he explained to the person recording him how he ended up paying 6,000 pesos for a night tour that, under normal circumstances, shouldn't have cost more than a fraction of that amount.
"The bike taxi at night charged 3,000 and 3,000 Cuban pesos. It was a lie, wasn't it?" he asked incredulously, still trying to understand how he had been deceived.
With nervous gestures and mixing Spanish and Italian, he recounted that a young man urged him to ride in a bike taxi, and then another joined the supposed service. Together, they demanded an outrageous payment. “There were two… I think they must have realized it,” he said, while trying to remember the streets they took him down before forcing him to pay.
Although he was not a victim of physical violence, the tourist acknowledged that his mother in Italy was afraid to see him exposed to any risk. "My mom is scared…" he said, when warned not to look directly at the camera.
The incident occurred around midnight, according to his own testimony, when Old Havana tends to be more deserted and vulnerable.
The video was shared by CubaNet with the message: “This Italian tourist was scammed last night in Old Havana when two men charged him for a bicitaxi ride significantly above the usual rate.”
A recurring pattern: fear, scams, and lack of protection
The case is not isolated. In recent weeks, several tourists have reported traumatic experiences in the Cuban capital that have turned a pleasurable trip into an episode of fear and confusion.
A young Mexican identified as Carlos was robbed twice in one night, during a blackout in Old Havana that left him completely in the dark and at the mercy of criminals.
First, they tried to rob him in broad daylight; later, other young people pretended to be helpers and took his mobile phone. The scene, also captured by a reporter from CubaNet, revealed a city where the shadows of blackouts and the lack of police presence turn visitors into easy targets.
Recently, a Mexican tourist named Sonya Ruiz reported being deceived and placed in danger after arriving at an accommodation booked through Airbnb, where the supposed host demanded an additional payment under threats and left her alone in a dark building in deplorable conditions.
His testimony sparked an intense debate on social media about the decline of Havana and the proliferation of scams that impact both foreigners and Cubans.
A more vulnerable Havana, a more exposed tourism
Reports of scams, excessive charges, thefts, and hostility have surged at a time when Cuba is desperately trying to revive its tourism industry. However, the lack of oversight, urban decay, blackouts, and the economic crisis have created a perfect environment for opportunists who see foreign visitors as a quick source of income.
The experience of the Italian tourist, who just wanted to enjoy an evening in the city, adds to a growing list of incidents that depict a less secure, more tense Old Havana with fewer protective measures for those who explore it. What should have been a light ride in a bicycle taxi ended up turning into yet another warning about the vulnerability of tourists on the island.
The Italian, still in shock, then tried to see if he recognized the man who deceived him. "Let's see if I see him," he said, not very hopefully. His story, however, adds to those of many others who have shared their bad experiences with the intention of warning future travelers.
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