Two women and one man were apprehended this Tuesday in the municipality of Mariel, located in the province of Artemisa, while transporting approximately 200 pounds of beef in a vehicle, according to the officialist Facebook profile "Angerona de Cuba."
The vehicle was intercepted in broad daylight, right in front of the Fire Department in Mariel, as reported by the source. From there, the arrested individuals—whose identities have not been disclosed—were taken to a police station for questioning.
The same source mentioned that the three detainees have prior criminal records for this and other offenses, labeling the slaughter and theft of cattle as a "very recurrent crime in the Artemisa territory."
"Angerona de Cuba" revealed that the authorities became aware of the transportation of the beef through an anonymous phone call received by the police, which they described as "an action demonstrating public rejection of this crime and cooperation with law enforcement."
The official source did not specify what the authorities did with the confiscated beef. It also remains unclear whether the arrested individuals were the ones slaughtering the cattle or if more people are involved in the case.
In recent years, coinciding with the significant increase in the food crisis in Cuba, there has been a rise in criminal activities against large livestock. In one of the most recent reports on the matter, at the end of June, the Guantanamo-based newspaper Venceremos noted that the province had witnessed 23 cattle thefts and slaughters within just 24 hours.
As public dissatisfaction grows due to the police's inaction in many areas of public safety, Facebook profiles like Angerona de Cuba, Cazador-Cazado, and others have emerged, focusing on highlighting the police's work amidst the credibility crisis faced by these regime entities. These profiles aim to change this perception by publishing news of thief arrests in various parts of the country.
Key Points on Livestock Theft and Food Crisis in Cuba
This section addresses some of the most frequent questions regarding the recent incidents of livestock theft and the larger food crisis in Cuba.
What triggered the arrest of the three individuals in Mariel?
The arrest was triggered by an anonymous phone call to the police, which alerted them about the transportation of the beef.
Why is cattle theft a recurrent crime in Artemisa?
Cattle theft is recurrent due to the significant increase in the food crisis in Cuba, which has led to a rise in criminal activities involving livestock.
What has been the public's reaction to the police's handling of such crimes?
The public has shown dissatisfaction due to the police's inaction in many areas of public safety. This has led to the creation of Facebook profiles that aim to highlight the police's efforts in combating crime.