Several machines stolen from Iberostar Varadero hotel: An employee and two former workers involved in the crime

The Revolutionary National Police recovered all of the stolen kitchen equipment in mid-March from the Iberostar Varadero Hotel, part of the state chain Cubanacán, in an event described as "unprecedented" at the facility.

The stolen items, according to the report from the local broadcaster Radio Varadero, were valued at approximately three million Cuban pesos and included a cheese and deli slicer, a vegetable cutter, a meat grinder, a microwave oven, a coffee grinder, and a coffee machine from the brand Fiamma.

According to investigations, the theft involved an active worker from the kitchen area along with two former employees of the hotel, who "took advantage of their knowledge of the facilities to unlawfully appropriate several work equipment items."

The recovery was made possible thanks to the joint efforts of the National Revolutionary Police, the Technical Investigation Department, and citizen collaboration.

The hotel management has stated that "following the incident, internal security measures have been strengthened and the commitment to transparency and customer trust remains."

The authorities assured that "there will be no impunity for those responsible" and that the investigations remain open.

The case occurs in a context of deep crisis within the Cuban tourism sector. In February 2026, more than 7,000 workers in the sector were laid off following the closure of 20 Gaviota hotels in Cayo Santa María, while in Matanzas, tourism employees were reassigned to agriculture, education and waste collection due to the energy crisis.

Internal thefts in Cuban tourist facilities are a recurring issue exacerbated by salary deficiencies.

In July 2023, a hotel worker in Holguín was arrested for theft of food and drinks.

In December 2024, the Swedish tourist David Grahn reported the theft of his backpack at the beach of the Laguna Azul hotel, also in Varadero, and offered a reward without going to the police.

The Hotel Iberostar Varadero operates under a mixed company model: Cubanacan owns the facilities while the Spanish chain Iberostar manages the operations, an arrangement that applies to 15 hotels of four and five star categories in Cuba.

"The message is clear: we work diligently to ensure a safe and high-quality service, preserving the peace of mind of those who choose Varadero as a tourist destination," concluded Radio Varadero when reporting the case.