Mexican Wife's Ordeal at Havana Airport Leaves Cuban Husband Outraged

What was meant to be a memorable trip to Cuba turned into a distressing experience for a Mexican woman who accompanied her Cuban husband to visit his children on the island.

The couple, known on TikTok as Vero & Rey, shared that the woman underwent an exhaustive inspection at Havana's José Martí International Airport. According to their account, her handbag was scrutinized down to the tiniest detail, and she was subjected to a full-body search.

In a video posted to their TikTok account, the pair described the challenges they faced during their journey to Cuba, which involved three flights with layovers in Dallas and Miami. However, the most shocking part for them was the treatment Vero reportedly received during airport security checks, particularly when they were preparing to return to the United States.

"They checked even where the bag straps hang, thinking something might be hidden there. They used machines, had me face forward, backward, side X-rays, and touched every part of my body. It was all very, very unpleasant," the Mexican woman recounted, still in disbelief over the ordeal.

Her husband, Rey, noted that the inspection was far more intense when leaving Cuba than when entering. "It was horrible, just horrible. They checked her more on the way out than when she arrived," commented the Cuban, explaining that he was not subjected to the same scrutiny.

He recalled that when he attempted to stay by his wife's side during the inspection, airport staff instructed him to move away. "They told me, 'You go over there and sit down,'" he remembered.

Vero admitted that she chose to remain silent during the uncomfortable situation, fearing that any protest might complicate her exit from the country. "You can't say anything, or they wouldn't let me leave Cuba, and I just wanted to go back," she expressed.

The couple usually flies through Varadero airport, where, in their experience, security checks are less stringent. This time, they had to use Havana's airport due to a lack of available night flights to their usual destination.

What struck them most was the contrast with their arrival in Miami. According to their account, there, a border officer simply inquired about Vero's reason for visiting Cuba. Once she explained she was accompanying her husband to see his children, she was allowed to proceed without further issues.

But the airport inspections weren't their only criticism. Rey warned potential travelers about alleged requests for money at the Havana airport. "For those planning to go, especially entering through Havana, be prepared because they will ask for money," he cautioned.

The Cuban also questioned the so-called VIP services offered to some travelers. "Don't believe that VIP nonsense because you'll just end up with a phone. It's not VIP; it's a scam to take your money," he claimed.

In recent months, changes in Cuban customs regulations have been introduced, including Decree-Law 108, effective from April 2026. New rules regarding travelers' personal imports also took effect in October. However, the couple did not explicitly link these regulations to the inspections they described.

Besides recounting their airport experience, Rey shared some tips for those planning to travel to Matanzas, Jovellanos, or Limonal. He recommended using the Vía Blanca instead of the Carretera Central and advised caution during the journey.

Despite the unpleasant episode, both wanted to stress that they greatly enjoyed their time in Cuba and the moments spent with family. "We had a great time, really great. Wherever we went, we had a wonderful time," they affirmed.