MIAMI, United States. — While the 41st edition of the International Tourism Fair (FITCuba 2023) is taking place, crimes and assaults against citizens take place in most of the island’s territories.
In the last week alone, several cases of murderassault with a knife and robbery with violencemost reported on social networks and independent media.
However, this reality does not seem to interest the authorities of the Island, which these days promote the “benefits” of the Cuban destination to foreign tourism.
As part of the activities of FITCuba 2023, this Tuesday the organizers of the event highlighted the options that Havana offers as a tourist destination. Luis Pino Naranjo, delegate of the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR) in the Cuban capital, assured that the city currently “receives thousands of visitors from all latitudes who come to enjoy its magic and its captivating cultural and heritage wealth.”
“This city, bathed by the sea, the sun and the magic of Cubans, is committed to becoming more beautiful and hospitable every day,” the official stressed.
According to the official report Cuban News Agency (ACN)In the presentation, the “advances” in the restoration of the historic center of Old Havana were also celebrated.
The authorities indicated “the Office of the City Historian has been in charge of restoring a large part of the oldest area of the city, leaving completely reanimated sites in its wake.”
These are —they say— actions that “improve not only the architectural image of the capital as part of its cultural development, but also that of its inhabitants.”
Within the framework of FITCuba 2023, the state press has been in charge of remembering that in 2016 Havana was declared a “Wonder City” by the Swiss foundation New7Wonders “thanks to its mythical appeal and the joviality of its inhabitants.”
A symptom of citizen discontent in the capital was the protest by a group of residents who closed the iconic Paseo del Prado on Tuesday. The protesters placed furniture and water tanks in the middle of the street. The situation forced the intervention of agents of the political police.
