An unfortunate incident in Varadero, Matanzas province, has left a Swedish tourist offering a reward for the return of his stolen backpack, which he hopes will still contain some of his personal belongings. David Grahn, a kitesurfer visiting Cuba for the third time, took to Facebook to report the theft, pleading for assistance to retrieve his bag, which was taken on Monday from the beach near the Laguna Azul hotel.
"Stolen today in Varadero. This entire bag containing many irreplaceable personal items was taken today on the beach outside the Laguna Azul hotel in Varadero," Grahn wrote in his post. The tourist detailed that the backpack held not only valuable items but also cash, a credit card, and a driver's license. "Those I care less about and can, with much effort and time, replace," he noted.
However, Grahn emphasized the significance of certain items, saying, "What I cannot replace are gifts and personal items from my deceased girlfriend and mother, clothing, a backpack, irreplaceable sunglasses, headphones, personal items, as well as the bag itself." He expressed his willingness to "offer a reward and happily pay for my bag returned with certain items inside," while urging people to spread his plea and share the post.
Grahn assured that he would not involve the authorities if his possessions were returned, mentioning that this was his third winter trip to Cuba, a peak tourist season on the island. "I always praise Cuba, and I love it here. I love Cuba and the people here. I rent a house for many weeks, spending my hard-earned money with the local Cuban people and learning the language," he expressed.
The tourist provided his WhatsApp number for contact and also mentioned that people could reach out to him via Facebook text. In response to his post, several Cubans expressed their hopes that Grahn would recover his belongings soon and shared their embarrassment over such incidents occurring in Cuba.
One commenter lamented, "Speechless, the decline, lack of respect; education, humility, and how many more values our society is going to lose. I hope you find your belongings." Another individual added, "It's too much already for the Cuban, this is very shameful, definitely speechless."
Some comments highlighted the growing crime and insecurity in Cuba, where criminals have even resorted to violence for theft. Tourists have increasingly become targets of theft and muggings in recent years. For instance, a Canadian tourist had her luggage stolen during her stay at the Marea del Portillo hotel in Granma province last September, but no resolution had been reached by the time the news was published.
In November, a tourist was mugged on the street by a young man who snatched her phone in the Los Olmos neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba. In another incident in that eastern city, a foreigner was stabbed by criminals attempting to steal his scooter in April. Just a few days later, an Italian tourist was held up at gunpoint by three Cubans while traveling through Sancti Spíritus in a rented car, heading to the eastern region of Cuba.
Crime and Safety Concerns for Tourists in Cuba
What items were stolen from the Swedish tourist in Varadero?
The tourist's backpack was taken, which contained valuable items, cash, a credit card, a driver's license, and irreplaceable personal belongings from his deceased girlfriend and mother.
How is the tourist seeking help to recover his belongings?
David Grahn has offered a reward and requested people to share his message on social media, providing his contact information for any leads on his stolen backpack.
Are there increasing concerns about tourist safety in Cuba?
Yes, there have been numerous reports of thefts and assaults on tourists in recent years, raising concerns about safety for visitors on the island.