Cuban Nationals in Syria Feel Abandoned by Their Embassy Amidst Chaos

In the wake of President Bashar al-Assad's ousting in early December 2024, chaos and violence have engulfed Syria, leaving several Cubans residing in the region feeling forsaken by the Cuban embassy in Damascus. Through accounts shared with Martí Noticias and 14yMedio, these individuals have voiced their desperation over the lack of support from their diplomatic mission amidst extreme insecurity.

Susel Gavira, living in the coastal city of Tartus, recounted how her family has been left to fend for themselves. "We've been abandoned in this nightmare, without any help or communication, as if we aren't their people," she lamented. "I know people from Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, and their embassies reached out, but ours didn't."

Gavira, part of the Alawite minority, explained that the dire situation has made life unbearable, particularly due to the constant threat of violence. "I can't send my kids to school because I fear for their safety. My daughter is 17, and my son is 15. I'm terrified," she expressed with anguish.

Her sister, Sawsan, who resides in Jableh, echoed these sentiments in a message to Martí Noticias. She emphasized that their family remains locked inside their home, living in perpetual fear. "We just want to survive. We need someone to help us escape. We're trapped, scared 24/7," Sawsan pleaded.

Samir Jesús Mahmoud Gavira, another family member in Tartus, also issued an urgent appeal through a video shared by 14ymedio and Martí Noticias. Samir described the dire circumstances, noting, "There's no electricity or internet, we're down to using candles. Everyone has weapons—men, women, children. Banks and government institutions are being looted. I don't know what to do. We need to leave here immediately."

The ongoing Syrian conflict has claimed more than 231,000 lives and many civilian casualties. After over a decade of warfare, the rebels managed to overthrow Bashar al-Assad, yet the country remains fragmented, with armed factions controlling various regions. This tumultuous environment has left the Cuban community in Syria feeling especially vulnerable.

Efforts to evacuate individuals have been limited. Recently, the Cuban government evacuated its diplomatic staff, relocating them to the Cuban Embassy in Lebanon, where they remain safe. However, Cuban residents in Syria have not received similar assistance.

"Everything's at a standstill. My family had started the process at the Spanish consulate to obtain nationality, but now it's all halted," Samir Gavira lamented. He also reached out to Spanish President Pedro Sánchez, urging for international aid for Cubans in Syria.

Meanwhile, the Cuban government has remained silent on these allegations. President Miguel Díaz-Canel, via a message on X, expressed concern over the events in Syria and called for respect for the country's sovereignty and the security of diplomatic missions. However, he has not addressed the lack of aid for Cuban citizens in Syria.