A Canadian tourist has reported an assault that occurred during her stay at The Blau hotel in Varadero on the night of March 3. The victim, Crystal Jardine, shared her ordeal on Facebook, explaining that the incident took place at the beach bar while she was with her husband. A man approached her asking for a cigarette, which she provided. Subsequently, a woman, apparently the man's partner, aggressively confronted Jardine, accusing her of flirting.
"I firmly asked her to leave, and they eventually did. About 30 minutes later, the man returned from the other side of the bar and, without provocation, hit me in the face. He also physically attacked my husband," Jardine detailed. To her dismay, the resort's security did not apprehend the attacker, another Canadian guest, and allowed him to return to his room.
"Initially, hotel staff did not address the situation with urgency. I managed to contact the Canadian Embassy, and only after notifying the reception of this did the matter seem to be taken seriously," she stated. "I called the police several times, but the calls disconnected each time I mentioned the name of the resort. Eventually, I received medical treatment for my injuries, including a swollen, shut eye, at an emergency center," she added.
Resort and Local Authorities' Response
At the hospital, Jardine informed the police of her intention to press charges. They assured her they would visit the resort at 9:00 am, but by 6:00 pm, they had not arrived. After a phone call, she was told to wait until the next day. "The lack of transparency and support from both the hotel and local authorities is deeply unsettling. The man responsible for the assault remains on the resort's premises, according to staff, which is incredibly concerning for my safety and that of other guests," she expressed with frustration.
The incident left Jardine deeply distressed, especially knowing that the assailant was not held accountable. Back in Ontario, she recounted her experience to CTV News. As of March 21, she had not fully recovered from the black eye caused by the punch. The couple had traveled on February 28 for a five-day stay at a Varadero resort with Sunwing Vacations, and the assault occurred on the second day.
Legal Challenges and Social Media Advocacy
On the night of the attack, the aggressor hit Jardine, knocked down her husband, and continued to assault him. Security guards restrained him, but instead of detaining him, they simply told him to leave. Upon contacting the police, Jardine was informed that pressing charges would require her to remain in Cuba.
"I don't have the man's name; the resort refuses to provide it. I wasn't given an official report of the assault. The only information I have is that he is Canadian," she lamented. CTV News reached out to Sunwing Vacations, which confirmed the incident. Meanwhile, the resort stated that the matter is under investigation, with witness statements included.
Criminal defense lawyer Joseph Neuberger clarified that while Jardine cannot press charges in Canada, she can locate the alleged assailant. "Due to international law, she cannot file criminal charges against him in Canada, as the jurisdiction is in Cuba. Once in Canada, her only recourse, if she knew the personal details, such as name and address, would be to initiate a civil action for assault," he explained.
Jardine is determined to see her assailant brought to justice. Her hope is that through social media attention, appropriate measures will be taken to protect others in the future. "It's appalling that someone can do this, and knowing he's Canadian and could do it again is unacceptable. I want this man held accountable for what he did to me," she emphasized.
FAQs on Tourist Safety in Cuba
What should a tourist do if assaulted in Cuba?
If assaulted, a tourist should immediately seek assistance from hotel security and contact their embassy. It is also important to report the incident to local authorities and seek medical attention for any injuries.
Can a tourist press charges for an assault that occurred in Cuba once they return home?
Generally, criminal charges must be filed in the country where the incident occurred. However, a civil action may be possible in the tourist's home country if the assailant's personal details are known.