In a notable act of integrity, a hotel worker in Varadero returned a bag containing more than $30,000 to its rightful owner, an incident that has been prominently covered by Cuba's state-run media. The newspaper Trabajadores detailed the event, highlighting how Yarima Merino, a housekeeper at Playa Caleta, discovered the bag filled with $30,000, 400,000 Cuban pesos, and a "valuable wristwatch."
The discovery occurred after the hotel guest, a project manager from Havana, had completed his stay and was on the verge of leaving. Merino recounted to the press that she immediately notified the head of security, refrained from touching anything, and waited for the supervisor to arrive. Together, they opened the bag to reveal the substantial sum inside.
Merino further described how the owner of the belongings—whose identity she chose not to disclose—arrived at the designated location, stated the amount of money in the bag, and proceeded to verify it by counting. "There is no justification for taking what doesn't belong to you. Even now, amidst such a severe economic crisis, no one should keep what isn’t theirs," she told the state media. "This is a principle I always instill in my 13-year-old son."
Amid the worsening economic situation, acts of kindness like this are both rare and highly valued. In July of the previous year, a young man in Santiago de Cuba found a wallet containing documents and cards on the street and promptly sought to return it to its owner, expecting no reward. This commendable act was shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on Facebook, showcasing a photo of an official document with the owner's name.
Furthermore, in October, a mother publicly expressed her gratitude on social media towards a young man who altruistically returned a tablet her grandson had lost at the Colón transportation stop in Pinar del Río.
Key Insights on Acts of Honesty in Cuba
How did Yarima Merino handle the situation upon finding the money?
Yarima Merino immediately contacted the head of security and waited for a supervisor to open the bag, ensuring transparency in handling the found money.
What are some examples of similar acts of honesty in Cuba?
There have been instances such as a young man in Santiago de Cuba returning a wallet with documents and another young man in Pinar del Río returning a lost tablet, both acts done without seeking any reward.