Restrictions for private drivers at Cuban airport: "You cannot pick up anyone who is not a direct relative."

Criticism is growing over a new restriction limiting the entry of private drivers into Cuban airports: "You can't even pick up a friend."

Users complain that only immediate family members are allowed to be picked up at the airport, leading to lengthy discussions with the police and inconvenience to the public.

Only family members can enter

A recent measure implemented at Holguín International Airport has sparked outrage among drivers and travelers: no one other than immediate family members can be picked up. This was reported by dozens of users on social media, especially in the "Bus & Truck Accidents" group.

"You can't pick anyone up at the airport anymore, unless it's family. Oh, Donald Trump!" one of the first comments quipped, referring to the systematic use of the "blockade" as a justification for internal measures.

“A lack of respect”

The reactions were swift. “You can't even pick up a friend of yours. Not even a neighbor. Nothing. This is to force them to use the yellow taxis,” wrote one local taxi driver. Another commented angrily: “I've had several arguments with my friends. You ask them who gave the order, and they say: I don't know, I'm just following orders.”

According to several accounts, the police at the entrance are demanding papers and questioning the relationship between the driver and the passenger. "A friend who wants to ride in your car, whether they pay you or not, can't," another user complained.

Sarcasm was not lacking

Some, in a sarcastic tone, proposed absurd solutions to a measure they described as ridiculous: "Passengers should leave their carts outside on the road. When they have to spend three hours returning them, they'll immediately get rid of that monstrous law."

Another was more graphic: "I'll tell my friends to take their wheelbarrows out to the avenue. One suitcase in each. Let them stay there waiting. Let's see what they do when they see 50 wheelbarrows stranded in the middle of the street."

An old practice revived

Several recalled that this practice isn't new. "At the José Martí University in Havana, they've been doing this since 2001. They stopped me while picking up my family and told me I couldn't come back until they left."

Others, bluntly, called it "a huge idiocy" or "another example of the government blocking its people." However, many see an economic motive behind this regulation: to force the use of state-run or rented taxis, which are more expensive and less available.

"It's so that those who arrive have to rent tourist cars. And behind that is some corrupt bigwig who gets his cut," suggested a driver.

Chaos at passenger pickup

The group also commented that while the airport parking lot can accommodate more than 150 private cars, there are only about twenty taxis available. When these taxis leave, other travelers must wait for them to return, causing long delays.

“They want to collect money with their cars. No one wants to use the parking lot because it's too expensive,” wrote one user.

Others wondered why the very police officers who enforce the rules get into private cars every day, driving around without knowing the drivers. "The example should start at home," one woman complained.

Between frustration and fatigue

"Until when?" was one of the most repeated phrases. "They're not satisfied with all the problems we already have. There's always room for more stupidity," lamented a Holguín driver.

And there were those who compared the situation to authoritarian regimes: "I thought we were heading for North Korea, but we've picked up so much speed that we're already leaving them behind."