Ep 8. Cuba

In season 3 episode 8 of Locked Up Abroad, viewers are taken on a gripping journey through the eyes of two American men, Nathan and Alex. The episode, titled Cuba, depicts their harrowing experience of being caught smuggling drugs into the country and subsequently serving a long prison sentence in a Cuban jail.

The episode begins with Nathan and Alex, two young men from Miami, embarking on a supposed, last-minute fishing trip to the Caribbean. While on the trip, they are approached by a man who offers them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to earn some quick cash. The man asks them to transport a package to Cuba, but the details of its contents remain unknown. Greed quickly takes hold of the young men, and they tentatively agree to the proposal despite feeling uneasy.

Once the pair arrive in Havana, the weight of their actions begins to set in. They are met by a contact from the smuggling operation who leads them on a tense drive through the city. The reality of what they are doing dawns on them as the streets get progressively more run-down, and they finally reach a dilapidated building where the package is handed over. As soon as they leave the building, they are promptly arrested by Cuban authorities.

What follows is an intense and slow descent into the Cuban penal system. Nathan and Alex are placed in a jail cell with several other inmates, but none of them have any knowledge of the American justice system. The men are left bewildered and confused, with no idea when their families will find out what's happened to them. The authorities in Cuba are uncompromising, and their sentences are harsh, leaving the men with little hope of ever being released.

The conditions in the prison are horrific, with overflowing toilets, no running water, and little food. The men are left in cramped cells with no access to sanitary facilities, and personal hygiene becomes a significant issue. As they begin to adjust to life in prison, tensions rise in the cell between Nathan and Alex. They realize they are likely going to be in prison for a long time, and they both begin to struggle with the reality of their situation.

As time wears on, the men begin to form relationships with their fellow prisoners, learning about life in Cuba and the families they have left behind. Despite the appalling conditions, the men are grateful for the small amenities that are provided, such as books and letters from home. However, the monotony of their daily routine only adds to the frustration and despair of their predicament.

Throughout the episode, the audience is taken through a series of flashbacks that show the events leading up to their arrest. Nathan and Alex reflect on their actions and the regret they feel for putting their families through such a troubling experience. Their reflections are juxtaposed with the harsh reality of their situation, giving the audience a unique insight into the psychological struggles of two young men facing the prospect of a lifetime in prison.

Locked Up Abroad: Cuba is a tense and emotional episode that highlights the consequences of making poor decisions and breaking the law in a foreign country. The episode provides an unflinching look at the Cuban judicial system and the harsh realities of life in prison. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in true crime stories and the human psyche.