Cuban Families Accuse "Queen of the South" Travel Agency of Financial Scams in Brazil Trips

Numerous Cuban families report losing thousands of dollars, facing repeated date changes, additional charges, and even threats after booking travel to Brazil through a travel agency known as "La Reina del Sur," according to an investigation conducted by elTOQUE.

Complex Travel Arrangements Beyond Air Tickets

The accounts from affected families reveal that this business involves much more than merely selling an airline ticket. The services offered include flights from Cuba, accommodations and transportation in Guyana, overland travel to the Brazilian border, and coordination with individuals responsible for continuing the journey into Brazil.

According to the investigation by elTOQUE, María del Mar Ojeda Fuentes, also known as Marimar, is identified as the person promoting and managing these services from Cuba.

Travel Agency Registration and Management

The trade name "La Reina del Sur" belongs to Travelsa LTDA, a travel agency registered in Brazil in October 2025. The official records show Anaysi Fuentes Petrolanda, Ojeda Fuentes' mother, as the listed administrator.

Payment Issues and Changing Dates

Among the testimonies, Lisi Velásquez, a Cuban resident in Brazil, recounted that her family arranged travel in May and paid in Minas, Camagüey. Initially, the departure was set for July 4, 2026, then moved to July 18, and finally to July 26, departing from Havana despite the family paying extra to depart from Camagüey.

Upon arrival in Georgetown, Guyana, Velásquez states that no one was there to meet them, although airport pickup and accommodation were part of the purchased package. Later, at the Brazilian border, the next leg's coordinators claimed they hadn't received the necessary funds for transportation.

Additional Costs and Unfulfilled Promises

The family had to gather another $1,850 to proceed, even though Velásquez insists this service had already been paid for. The investigation highlights other cases, including a mother from Camagüey who paid $4,200 to travel with her daughters but ended up spending over $700 more while waiting in Havana because the tickets never arrived on time.

Another example involves Yulia Barrios, who paid $4,050 for travel packages for six relatives. While she and two children managed to leave Cuba, three family members remained in the country, not receiving their tickets as promised.

Threats and Unresolved Complaints

Several interviewees reported facing intimidation when seeking refunds. Velásquez recounted her mother visiting the house in Minas where the trips were arranged and receiving what she interpreted as threats. Attempts to file a police report were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Similarly, Miguel Orlando Montero, who paid $6,000 for his family's travel, reported repeated date changes and threats of arrest for causing a "scene" when demanding a refund at the police station.

Agency's Response and Legal Context

elTOQUE accessed a recording of a conversation between María del Mar Ojeda and a client in which she stated the agency doesn't refund promotional ticket purchases, describing them as a waiting list. Ojeda denied involvement in human trafficking, asserting that her travelers enter Brazil with documentation from the Federal Police.

When contacted for an official statement regarding the allegations, Ojeda Fuentes declined to comment. Meanwhile, Brazilian authorities are cracking down on networks facilitating irregular border crossings, with the Federal Police launching Operation Trapaceiros on July 23 to investigate alleged schemes between Lethem, Guyana, and Bonfim, Roraima.

Brazilian Authorities and Migrant Smuggling Concerns

While the Federal Police's statement did not specifically name La Reina del Sur or its affiliates, past operations have uncovered groups of Cuban migrants transported across the border, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding migrant smuggling.

The Brazilian legal framework penalizes the facilitation of illegal migration for profit with two to five years in prison plus fines, distinguishing it from human trafficking, which involves exploitation.

Guyana's Visa Policy Changes

The typical route for Cuban migrants starts with a flight to Georgetown, Guyana, followed by a road trip to Lethem, bordering Bonfim in Brazil. However, a significant change has occurred: ordinary Cuban passport holders now require a visa to enter Guyana, with a prior approval letter necessary before travel.

Brazil's Growing Appeal to Cubans

This travel scheme's proliferation aligns with a notable spike in Cuban migration to Brazil. Official data from Brazil's Ministry of Justice indicates that Cubans have become one of the primary nationalities seeking asylum, with Boa Vista, Roraima, being a key registration point.

The convergence of high migration demand, substantial financial investments by Cuban families, and a journey involving multiple intermediaries has created a challenging environment for oversight and a lucrative opportunity for illicit networks targeted by Brazilian authorities.

As for La Reina del Sur, the situation currently involves a collection of public complaints and client testimonies, a journalistic investigation into how the trips were organized and financed, and unresolved questions about the fate of the money paid by those who claim not to have received the promised services.