An American resident of Cuban descent recently detailed her tumultuous journey back to Cuba on TikTok. Her return was marred by her luggage being held up in Florida, her son's clothing and medications being stolen, and power outages in her Guanabacoa neighborhood.
Known online as Odette_Angel (@angel_odette86), she posted a video over six minutes long on Monday, responding to a follower's inquiry about her visit to the island. She recounted a series of mishaps from the very start.
Travel Troubles from the Start
On Tuesday, June 16, she flew from the United States, with layovers in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Miami, on a Delta Airlines flight she described as "nearly empty." Upon arrival in Cuba, she discovered that the airline had left several passengers' luggage in Florida, including her middle son Eros's baggage.
Delta was supposed to call her the following day to notify her, but they never did. It was her husband, still in the U.S., who, tired of waiting, contacted the airline and located the luggage. He informed her that it had arrived at the Cuban airport, and she could retrieve it that afternoon.
Airport Ordeal and Missing Items
Arriving at the airport between 5 and 6 p.m., she was met with a rude employee. Worse, the suitcase was wide open. She was told it had been inspected in Miami because, according to the employee, "people are in great need."
To collect the luggage, she needed her son's physical passport, as a digital photo was not accepted. This forced her to make a round trip between the airport and Guanabacoa to fetch it, returning by 10 p.m. A different, more courteous employee assisted her then, but she was charged 50 pesos for the delayed baggage.
"They charged me fifty pesos for the luggage because, sweetheart, what else are you going to charge me for when you've taken over thirty pounds of my belongings?" she remarked in the video.
Upon thoroughly checking the bags at home, her fears were confirmed: all of her son's clothing, repellents, and medications were gone. "They took all the clothes, removed the repellents, and even some medicines," she recounted.
Ongoing Issues with Theft and Power
Theft from luggage at Cuban airports is a well-documented issue. In May 2026, Joel Pita reported that customs employees at José Martí Airport stole clothes, perfumes, and a watch; in April, Angélica Peña reported perfumes, cigarettes, and documents missing at Holguín Airport. The most common method involves opening zippers with a pen, leaving no visible trace—a technique documented since 2019.
Despite everything, Odette_Angel was relieved that the thieves hadn't touched the donation luggage she brought for her community. "I'm so glad it wasn't the donation luggage they took," she said.
The reception in her neighborhood was bittersweet: the power was on when she arrived, but four days later, the transformer blew. "Things are complicated," she admitted, without elaborating. Guanabacoa has been the site of protests and pot-banging in June 2026 due to prolonged blackouts and water shortages, amidst Cuba's most severe electrical crisis, with outages lasting up to 20-24 hours daily.
"That was my initial welcome, not to mention everything else that happened," she concluded, hinting at more stories about her time on the island.
Understanding Cuba's Travel Challenges
What issues did Odette_Angel face during her trip to Cuba?
Odette_Angel dealt with her luggage being held in Florida, theft of her son's clothes and medications, and power outages in her neighborhood in Guanabacoa.
How did Odette_Angel retrieve her delayed luggage?
Her husband located the luggage by contacting Delta Airlines. She then had to visit the airport with her son's physical passport to collect it, despite initial challenges and a rude staff member.
What common problem do travelers face with luggage at Cuban airports?
Theft from luggage is a widespread issue at Cuban airports, with items often stolen using a technique that involves opening zippers with a pen, leaving no trace.