Interviews
A bridge between Quito and Havana
Nonardo Perea Havana, Cuba
T
here are many Cubans who, for quite some time now, see a business option in visiting Russia or Ecuador, since they can make money reselling clothing and other products in Cuba. Shortly after returning from Ecuador, Fabian Aguilar Gutierrez agreed to answer my questions.
What were your steps to travel to Ecuador? Firstly, I went to the embassy to find out how I should do; then, I took the passport and returned to the embassy. They were no longer giving visas, because by November 26, 2015, the visa exemption had been terminated. However, the new legal rule safeguarded those who had bought the tickets before that dateline. They will gradually receive the visa. We had to sleep five days at the embassy. The police nudged and mistreated us. The day before the flight, we were given a temporary visa for 48 hours. In Ecuador, we would have another interview at the emigration offices to complete the visa.
Why the police mistreated the people there? Because many of us wanted to go first. We were all impatient, particularly those who had paid up to 1200 dollars for a ticket and heard the rumor that no more visas would be given to anyone else. They were upset and started yelling. The press came and the police set up barricades to prevent the crossing. Whoever approached was pushed or arrested. It was horrible.
What is the normal air fare? It varies. It cost me thirty-six hundred dollars, but it could cost you thousand or so depending on the airline and the time of purchase. The flights are sold under the rule of space availability. Maybe you are in front of me at the queue and get the price of five hundred for a certain date, but if the seats for that date are sold out, a ticket for the same date in other flight can cost seven hundred.
For how long did you plan to stay in Ecuador?
Only for a week.
For what purpose? Well, Cubans travel to any country for many purposes. Some want to stay, others desire to know the country, and others go to do business. I went to get some goods in other to resell them here and make some money.
You traveled in a time when things had gotten strained by the influx of Cuban immigrants. Did you face any problem because of being Cuban? We are not regarded very well there, since we are charismatic, manage ourselves to find good jobs, and can do
122