With the confirmation of two more femicides in Cuba, the number of gender-based murders of women in the country has risen to 37, according to independent feminist platforms reported this Thursday.
The murders of Isabel Rojas Aguilera, 30, and Arianni Céspedes Garcés, 35, add to the underreported cases tracked by the Gender Observatory of the Alas Tensas magazine (OGAT) and the Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC) platform.
Rojas "was killed by her ex-partner in the La Bloquera neighborhood in the city of Camagüey on September 13, when she went to collect belongings for their child from the assailant's home," stated an initial post by OGAT on the social network X.
The statement conveyed condolences to the victim's six-year-old son, other family members, and friends, while also recommending they "seek specialized help."
The platforms also confirmed the murder of Céspedes on September 14, carried out by her ex-partner at her home in the town of Aguacate, in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba.
They extended their sympathies to the three surviving children, all minors, other relatives, friends, colleagues, and students at the secondary school where she worked as a teacher.
"These incidents were published by media, citizens, and activists, and verified with community sources through the joint efforts of OGAT and YSTCC," the publication added.
The crime that claimed Céspedes' life was reported by CiberCuba on the same day it occurred, after sources close to the woman revealed that she was stabbed by her ex-partner inside her home, in front of several young children who raised the alarm.
When neighbors arrived, they could not save her but managed to apprehend the killer. Although the man attempted to flee, he was intercepted by Céspedes' brother, who is a police officer.
In addition to the 37 confirmed femicides in the nearly nine months of 2024, OGAT and YSTCC have recorded three attempted gender-based crimes, six cases needing police investigation, and two murders of men for gender-related reasons. Furthermore, they are investigating four other possible femicide cases in Las Tunas, Matanzas, Camagüey, and Guantánamo.
The official Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) has admitted that over 16,000 women and girls from 9,579 families live in situations of violence in the country. The organization has also acknowledged an increase in femicides since the pandemic, although it refuses to use that term, opting instead for "femicides."
In early August, the regime reported that in 2023, 60 cases of gender-based murders of women aged 15 or older were tried in courts, of which 50 (83.3%) were killed by their partners or ex-partners, and the rest by other assailants, according to data from the Cuban Observatory on Gender Equality.
Additionally, in the previous year, 378 cases of sexual violence were tried in court, and several women were left with injuries from attacks by their ex-partners.
In July, the Cuban government created a national system for recording, attending to, monitoring, and tracking gender-based violence in the family setting, as announced in a Council of Ministers meeting.
FAQs on Femicides in Cuba
This section addresses some common questions about femicides in Cuba, providing answers based on the latest data and reports from feminist platforms and official sources.
What is the current number of confirmed femicides in Cuba for 2024?
As of now, there are 37 confirmed cases of femicides in Cuba for the year 2024.
Who are Isabel Rojas Aguilera and Arianni Céspedes Garcés?
Isabel Rojas Aguilera and Arianni Céspedes Garcés are the latest victims of femicide in Cuba. Rojas was killed by her ex-partner in Camagüey, and Céspedes was murdered by her ex-partner in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba.
What actions are feminist platforms taking in response to these femicides?
Feminist platforms like OGAT and YSTCC are tracking and verifying cases of femicide, offering condolences and support to families, and urging them to seek specialized help. They are also advocating for greater awareness and action against gender-based violence.