Let's not kid ourselves by taking a caviler attitude about Cody's situtation. We can go on and on tring to explain away and somehow justify what happened (don't rent a car in Cuba) The fact of the matter is he was kidnapped and his family held for ransom.THIRTY THOUSAND DOLLARS ( $30,000 )In a country where coruption runs rampent I wonder which officals got a kick back from the HOTEL . Having been to Cuba I have seen the payola that has to be made to the police just for a tour guide to take thier group from Varadero to Havana . I for one will not support a regime or a country that promotes blatant organized extortion of tourists. I will never return and strongly suggest Canadians avoid this place.
Jul 31, 2010 Rating
cuba by: Anonymous
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians go to Cuba every year without incident but we are not hearing about that.
The communist goverment beats down their own people to keep control. Most Cubans have found a way to survive and compaired to other caribean nations it is not even close to being the worst place to be.
I believe Canada is by far the best, most respected nation and sometimes we take our freedom and standard of living for granted.
I feel bad for what Cody had to experience and I am sure it has helped those who love going to Cuba to be more educated about their system.
Like everyone else I'll say again..."do not rent a car in Cuba"
People who visit Cuba often already know this rule and know that buses or taxi's are the way to get around. Travel agents in Canada should be making clients more aware.
Jul 31, 2010 Rating
That's the way Cuba is! by: Anonymous
The majority of the tourists are unaware that other rules and laws rule in Cuba. The punishment is more severe than in most other countries.
The details of the accident are unclear for the moment, but the forced detention for months in Cuba cost the parents of Cody Lecompte a fortune. Some Canadian newspapers speak about 30,000 dollar.
Note that you in Cuba can get arrested on the streets for nothing! I know the story of a Cuban woman waiting at a bus stop arrested with all other people at the bus stop and after a night in jail released because she had a Cuban State job and could proof she had income from her job. Lucky for her but without a job or income she was accused of being a jinetera (prostitute).
Jul 30, 2010 Rating
What is the story about About the Cuban car accident by: Anonymous
To begin with anyone that knows Cuba and goes there often will advise you not to ever rent a car there. You are in a "no win" situation and the insurance you think you have bought in Cuba for a car rental is useless as we know car insurance to be here in Canada.
Yes, I know Cuba can seem corrupt. That out of the way, I also know that when you get detained their police investigations are thorough and for the most part correct.
At face value the story on being detained for a car accident seems like a grave misjustice has been done. Detained at a resort is costly but it would have been a lot worse if a Cuban jail had come into play.
Is there more to this incident that we do not know about ?
