A Canadian firefighter who traveled to Cuba intending to relax and "recharge" ended up having an experience he describes as "heavy" and profoundly transformative after witnessing the anguish of Cubans facing a crisis that threatens to become a humanitarian emergency.
Russ Reimer, a resident of Manitoba and founder of a nonprofit organization, posted a video from the island showcasing a bleak scene, where a virtually empty resort is shown, lacking a festive atmosphere, music, or tourists.
"This should be a time for celebration, for dancing... but the resort is basically empty and no one is coming back," he says while filming the place, just a few hours before his scheduled departure.
Reimer explained that he traveled with his wife to Cayo Coco, where they stayed at the Memories Caribe Beach Resort, not imagining that he would encounter a country plunged into blackouts, scarcity, and growing fear.
“I had no idea we were potentially heading into a humanitarian crisis in Cuba,” she confessed in the video posted on Instagram.
The Canadian assured that, although social media talks of “Canadians fleeing”, he doesn’t see it that way. He stated he feels calm because he knows his country will bring them back from the island, but what breaks his heart is thinking of those who have no place to go.
"When people talk about Canadians fleeing, which we are not doing... we are relaxed knowing that we will be picked up and taken home. But what about the Cubans?" he questioned.
“What's happening with the Cubans? 11 million Cubans who have nothing,” he lamented.
According to the account, the situation becomes more alarming with the possibility that the island could lose even more electricity due to a lack of fuel. “If they lose all their power… it’s a lot,” he stated, hinting at his concern for what might come next.
"It's getting a bit heavy to be here right now... it has changed my life in a good way, but it's very hard," he said, clearly affected. He concluded with a plea that has gone viral among many Cubans: "Pray for these people."
In an interview with Discover Westman, Reimer explained that as he spoke with the locals, he began to understand the extent of the collapse. He said that many employees were crying as they told him that they had children at home and did not know what future awaited them.
"They begin to cry. They have children at home. They don't know what is going to happen," he recounted, worried about the risk of a humanitarian crisis marked by disease, hunger, and death.
The firefighter also stated that, despite everything, Cubans continue to show a kindness that left a lasting impression on him.
"In Cuban culture, they bring out chairs for everyone... they are sweet and wonderful every day," he shared, recalling the dignity with which many face despair.
The experience made him reconsider even the most basic things. He said he felt "ashamed" about the everyday complaints in Canada after witnessing a country where the essentials are lacking.
“If I thought I had gratitude before for things like toilet paper, hot water, education… this is going to change me forever,” she confessed.
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