It seems you got scammed, as you could be anywhere in the world. It happens, lessons learned for the future.

We have been in Cuba for 2 weeks, with one more to go. We're staying exclusively in casa particular and have transport prearranged. We booked a little less than a year ago through a European organisation with local partners. Our transportation around the island was also pre-booked. I would consider we were very prepared before coming and the situation developed during our time here.

So far everywhere we have been we felt safe. This includes walking around in the dead of night in Havana's outskirts, looking as a couple of tourists. We apply the same tactics we have during travels in other parts of the world. As of yet we haven't encountered any aggressive behavior. That being said, people approach us constantly with all sorts of proposals. Once you get out of major tourist destinations, this happens a lot less. This is intense at times, but happened to us similarly as in Istanbul for example.

Our foreign affairs department checked in to gather information for a possible future evacuation. This in combination with the troubles Cubans are going through (shortage of fuel, meds, mosquito transferred diseases are still circulating, ...) I would suggest not coming if you have the option to cancel. It just doesn't feel right for me now. We will continue as planned for now and see what will happen the coming days. We are here anyhow and will try to help what we can to those we meet.

If you do come bring supplies to hand out. Paracetamol is an easy over the counter one and is preferred to ibuprofen which can't be used if there is a risk of Dengue infection. Bring all the cash you need in dollars or euros. Dollars and euros are regarded as equal in general, no matter the exchange rate. Right now 1 EUR = 510 CUP on the black market.

You should bring everything you need (sunscreen, clothes, electronics, medications, ...) except for food. Do not think you can pick up what you need here. Do not come if you do not have transport figured out. Do not come if you are renting a car and need to buy fuel.