Dozens of Cuban travelers demanded on Monday that the airline Wingo allow them to board a flight to Bogotá, Colombia, during a protest at the José Martí International Airport in Havana. "We want to fly," chanted the passengers in unison to airline and airport officials, as shown in videos shared on social media by those affected by Wingo's decision to require a "visitor visa" for Cubans to fly to the South American country.
The measure by Wingo left thousands of passengers stranded last week, while the Colombian embassy stated in a communiqué that Cuban citizens do not need a visa for a layover in the country. Travelers confirmed to Martí Noticias that police dispersed the demonstration at the airport terminal, while several of them headed to the Colombian consulate to demand an explanation.
Journalist Mario Pentón posted a video on the social network X showing the eviction of the protesters on Monday morning. "In a normal country, authorities would defend their citizens," expressed the reporter. "In Cuba, the oldest dictatorship in the Western Hemisphere, repressive forces do not even accept the rightful claim of those who have lost everything to buy tickets and are now not allowed to fly. And then they say it's not about politics... Everything is about politics in that country."
Last Thursday, several people were evicted from the Havana International Airport as they demanded explanations from the low-cost Colombian airline Wingo regarding the announcement that, starting July 8, a transit visa would be required for Cubans planning to fly to Bogotá.
No representative of the airline attended to them; instead, they were threatened and forced by Cuban military personnel to leave the premises. The affected passengers told Pentón that a lieutenant colonel threatened to detain them. "The airline did not respond, no one came out to answer anything. We don't know if we are going to the embassy. Black berets came in, police came in, and they took us out," they said.
A group of Cubans affected by Wingo's sudden cancellations went to the Colombian Embassy in Havana on Friday to seek explanations. According to testimonies from the claimants, the Colombian ambassador assured them that complaints had already been filed against the airline and that it was taking the necessary measures to resolve the issue. However, he asked the affected individuals to be patient while waiting for concrete responses.
A woman who spoke with the embassy officials said that the ambassador showed her the complaints filed two weeks ago against Wingo and confirmed that Colombia does not require a transit visa as the airline claims. However, the affected individuals believe this is a fallacy and no real solutions have been offered.
Regarding the information provided by the embassy, one woman argued, "To begin with, those are delayed procedures: refunds, claims, there are no immediate answers. For those who missed the flight, there is no time, for those traveling in July, neither... The option is to go with another airline... An airline that acts on its own and officials who are 'DEMANDING'. This seems like a soap opera. Everything sounds like lies."
Another traveler was blunt: "The embassy did not reach an agreement yesterday; otherwise, we would already be able to fly, just like that. That pamphlet is for the embassy to save face," while another affected person opined, "God willing, I am wrong. But there is no clarity with the solution, to be honest."
FAQs about Wingo's Visa Requirements and Havana Airport Protests
To provide more clarity on the ongoing situation involving Wingo's visa requirements and the protests at Havana Airport, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are Cuban travelers protesting at Havana Airport?
Cuban travelers are protesting because the airline Wingo has suddenly required a "visitor visa" for Cubans to fly to Bogotá, Colombia, leaving many passengers stranded.
What is Wingo's stance on the visa requirement?
Wingo has not officially responded to the complaints. The airline has enforced the visa requirement, despite the Colombian embassy stating that a transit visa is not needed for Cuban citizens.
Have there been any official responses from the Colombian Embassy?
Yes, the Colombian embassy has confirmed complaints against Wingo and assured that the issue is being addressed. However, they have asked for patience as concrete solutions are awaited.