I just heard from a friend who went to Cuba a week after me, and brought up something that happened to me, too, but I have never heard elsewhere. Apparently there is a risk of locals getting arrested if they are seen with tourists? This was in Trinidad - but not sure if a local issue or anywhere else. Is this true? A misunderstanding? It sounds like so many people here have Cuban friends, I find this hard to believe true.
But the two of us, two separate occasions, different gender,? Is there any truth to it, and if so, can this be remedied somehow? When they check them out and have a clean record.. But if they do , then off to jail I have travelled around all of Cuba many times for several months each trip and never been spoken to by police. Of course, there is often more than that that quickly follows. A few gifts on the next visit. The cops usually know who these players are, and keep them on a short leash.
These hustlers can sniff out a gullible tourist from a block away. The amazing thing is that so many fall for it. But I don't think this is illegal, having a tourist buy them stuff? Especially if it is from home, such as ordering money or sending gifts. Must involve something more serious I would think.
True not illegal! Question them also If the people who got arrested in your case , did not have a record.. I'm sure they would of been ok Be careful out there! Aaah 6 that makes sense I live in Los Angeles , if you have problems with the police, you just move down a couple blocks and disappear in the anonymity of 15 million people.
Maybe I'm extra gullible, but I don't really see all that much wrong with sending a few gifts here and there except of course that they would never arrive. I grew up in West Germany, and it was not unusual to send care packages to East Germany. Yes they had all their basic needs taken care of, just like Cubans, but they didn't have access to any "luxury" goods, just like Cubans. I love getting them. I love that she goes out and buys special Holiday chocolate and cookies and mails them to me.
