In January 2023, three cases of burglary involving Japanese nationals were reported, followed by an attempted car theft and a pickpocketing incident in February, prompting a consular alert. Further incidents occurred in late April and mid-May, involving robberies and thefts targeting Japanese nationals.
1. Recent Incidents:
- Late April 2023: A Japanese man was walking alone on the sidewalk along the Malecón, north of the Paseo del Prado Hotel, when he was restrained by two Cuban men who stole his mobile phone.
- Mid-May 2023: Around 2:30 PM in Plaza de Revolución, Havana Province, a Japanese man, who was lost, was approached by a Cuban man offering directions. The Cuban man guided him to a different location and asked him to enter it. Sensing danger, the Japanese man refused, but his camera was stolen by the Cuban man.
2. Current Situation: Cuba does not publish crime statistics, making it challenging to gauge the safety situation. However, recent developments indicate a worsening of security conditions. Those planning to travel to Cuba should reconsider any assumptions of safety compared to other Latin American countries and take substantial safety precautions.
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