He was only 16 years old when he died in November 2023 after being stabbed in the leg. Ten months later, the family still does not know the conclusions of the police investigation. They only know that several minors are detained in a behavioral center, accused of the death of Leandro Baro Lameiro. They do not even know if there will be a trial. For now, no date has been set for the hearing. Despite this, the young man's relatives are demanding justice. "He was cruelly murdered and we haven't been told anything about the process; only that it is still under investigation."
The relatives of the deceased know very little about what happened. Leandro Baro's friends have said that the teenager was attacked by around 20 people, both adults and minors. The fight began in a bar in Las Tunas but stemmed from another altercation at the Wenceslao Rivero high school. Leandro Baro Lameiro received a single stab wound to the lower part of his leg and lost a lot of blood. The doctors in Las Tunas decided to amputate it to save him, but ultimately, the teenager died of a cardiac arrest after having survived a previous one.
In the neighborhood, it is rumored that the boy who delivered the fatal stab is being shielded by his family, who work in the Prosecutor's Office. They are allegedly obtaining psychiatric reports to keep him out of jail, claiming he has "nerve problems" to justify his actions.
A video obtained by CiberCuba shows the dire condition in which Leandro Baro Lameiro arrived at the polyclinic for treatment. He was completely covered in blood and was being carried by three boys his age. Social media mobilized after his admission to the pediatric hospital in Las Tunas, calling for blood donations, but nothing could be done to save his life. He lasted one night, and at dawn the next day, he went into cardiac arrest. He passed away on October 1, 2023, at 3:45 AM.
The death of Leandro Baro Lameiro is not an isolated incident. Last week, Jancel Ríos Pérez, 24, died after being stabbed in Sancti Spíritus. Additionally, two other young Cubans died last week: Flavio Alonso Piedra, 20, was found dead at his military service unit in Baracoa, and Usiel Quesada Florat was stabbed in the back in Camagüey.
Rising Crime Rates in Cuba
The think tank Cuba Siglo XXI has identified 2023 as the year when the regime acknowledged crime as a national issue, with July and June being the most violent months. "Of the 649 reported crimes, 265 were robberies, 199 people were murdered in 197 incidents, and 124 people suffered assaults," says the report accessed by CiberCuba.
According to the Observatorio Cubano de Auditoría Ciudadana (OCAC), a total of 432 crimes were recorded between January and June 2024, averaging 2.37 crimes per day, marking a 152% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (1.82 crimes daily in 2023). The analysis shows a "concerning rise" in violent crimes in the first half of this year, highlighting a 111% increase in murders, a 290% rise in assaults, and a 208% surge in robberies in the first half of 2024.
The OCAC attributes this surge in crime to the de-capitalization and de-professionalization of the Police; changes in social and cultural values, and "a growing perception of impunity and corruption within the Cuban judicial system." In light of this situation, it urgently calls on the Cuban authorities to transparently address this alarming situation.
FAQs on the Crime Surge and Judicial Process in Cuba
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the rising crime rates and the judicial process in Cuba, especially in light of recent events.
Why hasn't there been a trial for Leandro Baro Lameiro's murder?
The family has not received any information about the trial date or the conclusions of the police investigation. The case is reportedly still under investigation.
What factors are contributing to the rise in crime in Cuba?
The OCAC attributes the increase in crime to the de-capitalization and de-professionalization of the Police, changes in social and cultural values, and a growing perception of impunity and corruption within the judicial system.
What does the data say about crime rates in Cuba?
According to OCAC, there were 432 crimes recorded between January and June 2024, marking a 152% increase compared to the same period in 2023. This includes significant rises in murders, assaults, and robberies.