Canadian man drowns while swimming off Cuban beach A Canadian has died while on vacation in Cuba, according to 680News. The Department of Foreign Affairs confirms the death of a Canadian citizen but there is no information yet on the man or his hometown. Kirk Nesbitt, the vice-president of engineering for Rogers Communications, witnessed the man drowning at a beach in Varadero in northwest Cuba. He says a man was in the water waving his arms and yelling but three lifeguards who ran in were unable to mount a successful rescue. A man believed to be from Cuba also drowned trying to rescue the Canadian. Foreign Affairs says Canadian consular officials in Varadero are in touch with local authorities and are prepared to provide consular assistance to the family.