What was supposed to be a special trip to Cuba turned into a very unpleasant experience for a Mexican woman who accompanied her Cuban husband to visit his children on the island.
The couple, known on TikTok as Vero & Rey, shared that the woman underwent an intense inspection at José Martí International Airport in Havana, where, according to her account, they searched every last corner of her bag and conducted a body search.
In a video shared on their TikTok account, the couple recounted the setbacks they experienced during their trip to Cuba, which they reached after taking three flights with layovers in Dallas and Miami. However, what impacted them the most was the treatment that, they claimed, Vero received during the airport security checks, especially when they were preparing to return to the United States.
"They checked the area where I hold the bag, where I hang it, thinking I was hiding something there, and they used machines to inspect me. They had me turn front and back, did X-rays from the side, made me raise one hand and then the other, and touched my entire body. It was all very, very unpleasant," recounted the Mexican woman, still surprised by what had happened.
Her husband, Rey, stated that the inspection was much more intense when leaving Cuba than upon arrival. "It was horrible, it was horrible, they searched her more when she left than when she entered," said the Cuban, who explained that he was not subjected to the same procedure.
According to his account, when he tried to stay with his wife during the inspection, the airport workers ordered him to step aside. "You go over there and sit down," he recalled them saying.
Vero confessed that she preferred to remain silent in a situation that made her uncomfortable for fear that any protest would complicate her departure from the country. "You can't say anything, otherwise they wouldn't let me leave Cuba, and I really wanted to go," she expressed.
The couple explained that they usually travel through Varadero airport, where, in their experience, the security checks are less stringent. This time, they had to use Havana airport because they did not find any available night flights to their usual destination.
What caught their attention the most was the difference from their arrival in Miami. According to their account, there an agent asked Vero about the reason for her visit to Cuba, and when she explained that she had accompanied her husband to see his children, she was able to continue without any major issues.
But the reviews weren't the only thing that was criticized. Rey also warned those considering traveling to the island about alleged requests for money at Havana's airport. "For those who plan to go, those entering through Havana, get ready because they will ask you for money," he cautioned.
The Cuban also questioned the supposed VIP services offered to some travelers. "Don't believe in that VIP stuff because they're going to leave with their phones. It's not VIP, that's a lie, it's to take their money," he assured.
In recent months, there have been changes in Cuban customs regulations, including Decree-Law 108, which has been in effect since April 2026. Additionally, new provisions regarding travelers' personal imports came into effect in October. However, the couple did not explicitly link these regulations to the inspections they described.
In addition to recounting what happened at the airport, Rey shared some recommendations for those planning to travel to Matanzas, Jovellanos, or Limonal. Among these, he advised using the Vía Blanca instead of the Central Highway and to exercise caution during the journey.
Despite the difficult time, both wanted to make it clear that they really enjoyed their stay in Cuba and the moments shared with family. "We had a great time, very nice, very nice. Wherever we went, we had a wonderful experience," they assured.
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