Don't Invest in Cuba: Cuban Entrepreneur Exposes Looting and Police Inaction

Jenni Lucas, a Cuban entrepreneur specializing in event and party decorations, has spoken out against the theft of her business premises and criticized the lack of police action following the incident. Her ordeal prompted her to issue a stark warning to Cubans living abroad: do not invest in businesses for family members on the island.

Lucas, who promotes her work on social media under the name Decoraciones JLY, primarily focuses on balloon decorations for events like birthdays and other celebrations.

In a video shared on Facebook, Lucas walks through her establishment, revealing near-empty shelves after the looting.

"A place that was once filled. Every shelf was packed. This is what they left me with. Just a bunch of worthless items," she recounts.

The Frustrating Police Response

Beyond the loss of merchandise, Lucas is particularly frustrated with the response she received from the authorities when she reported the theft.

"The police just say it's under investigation. There's no problem at all," she asserts. She also displays a folder containing the documentation for her business.

"I have a file full of all my papers, the project, everything required here to operate legally, I have it. Yet nothing happens. You get robbed, and you're left to deal with it. Absolutely nothing happens," she laments.

The entrepreneur also mentions that the theft left her with debts for items belonging to third parties that were also stolen from her store.

Warnings for Cuban Entrepreneurs Abroad

"After the theft, you're left with nothing, and you have to pay money that isn't yours, and nobody cares. Absolutely nobody cares that you've been robbed," she explains.

Jenni believes that private entrepreneurs in Cuba are vulnerable to such crimes.

"Because you're an individual, and it's not state-owned, nothing happens, that's it," she claims.

Her most emphatic message is aimed at Cubans living outside the country who send money to help their family members start businesses.

"If you have family in Cuba and you want to help them, don't set up a business for them, because unfortunately, in Cuba, small business owners have no rights or police protection," she advises.

Rising Security Concerns in Cuba

The post sparked numerous comments from others who shared similar experiences. One user mentioned being robbed in February 2025 at the Recinto Ferial, stating that despite police statements and identifying suspects, "they're still walking free." Another reported that thieves emptied her café overnight, questioning why the case hadn't progressed despite the evidence left behind.

This denunciation comes amid growing concerns about security in Cuba. The Observatorio Cubano de Auditoría Ciudadana documented 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, a 115% increase from the previous year and 337% higher than in 2023. Robberies topped the crime reports, with 1,536 incidents.

Even the Ministry of the Interior acknowledged in February 2026 a 25% rise in property crimes, attributing it to the "complex economic situation."

Jenni's case is not isolated among small business owners. In late July, a Cuban baker reported the theft of equipment essential to her business, and in May, a private jewelry store in Cienfuegos was forcefully robbed.

"The police don't care, the state doesn't care, nobody cares, so just don't do it," concludes Jenni.