Canadian woman assaulted at hotel in Cuba raising safety fears for tourists

The lack of intervention from hotel security in Cuba highlights growing safety concerns.

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A Canadian tourist, Crystal Jardine, was assaulted at the Blau hotel in Varadero, Cuba, during her vacation in early March, bringing attention to growing safety concerns for tourists in the country.

Crystal Jardine was attacked on March 3, just two days into her trip, when a man she had met at the hotel beach bar punched her in the face without provocation.

The incident escalated when the man returned after a brief confrontation with Crystal Jardine and physically attacked both her and her husband.

The hotel’s security staff did not intervene, and the assailant, a fellow Canadian tourist, was allowed to return to his room after the attack.

Crystal Jardine expressed her frustration with the hotel’s lack of urgency in addressing the situation and their failure to provide her with an official report of the assault.

Despite multiple attempts to contact local police, Jardine was met with delays and disconnections when mentioning the hotel’s name. “The lack of transparency and support from both the hotel and local authorities is deeply concerning,” Crystal Jardine said. She was eventually treated for injuries, including a swollen eye, at a local urgent care centre.

Crystal Jardine later informed police she intended to press charges, but the authorities’ delayed response left her feeling abandoned. “They failed to show up when promised, and I was left waiting for over a day,” she said.

Crystal Jardine, who still does not know her attacker’s identity, expressed her dissatisfaction with the hotel’s response and the lack of action from authorities.

Sunwing Vacations, which arranged Jardine’s trip, confirmed the assault occurred, but the Blau hotel has stated the incident is under investigation. However, Crystal Jardine feels the hotel’s response has been insufficient given the serious nature of the assault.

Legal expert Joseph Neuberger explained the challenges faced by Canadian citizens seeking justice in such situations, as the jurisdiction lies within Cuba, not Canada. “Your only recourse in Canada would be to pursue a civil action for assault, if you knew the details of the individual,” Neuberger said.

Despite these barriers, Crystal Jardine is determined to see justice. “I want this man to be held accountable for what he did to me,” she said.

Her case highlights broader concerns about tourist safety in Cuba, where incidents of assault and theft have led to increasing worry among foreign visitors.