The alleged perpetrator of the murder of Cuban woman Tamara Carreras Martínez, brutally killed in broad daylight on a street in Santiago de Cuba this week, has been identified on social media as a man named Ricardo. He lives on General Miró Street and was apprehended by police after witnesses of the crime assaulted him.
According to journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, Ricardo was detained after being beaten by neighbors who witnessed his attack on the 57-year-old woman, an employee of the University of Oriente. "The man's name is 'Ricardo,' residing on General Miró, between Martí and Julián del Casal, in the well-known 'Callejuela.' My sources say he is out of danger despite the injuries inflicted by local youths, and has been in custody since last night," the reporter stated.
Community Outcry and Known History
Local sources cited by the reporter noted that Ricardo was infamous in his community for his toxic relationships. Neighbors, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that he had exhibited abusive behavior in the past, and Tamara had filed a complaint against him, which authorities failed to act upon.
"Years ago, he kept a woman locked in his house, treating her like a slave," recounted a neighbor.
A Grieving Family and Community
Tamara, who would have turned 58 in November, lived on San Antonio Street and was the mother of a single son, Ariel Despaigne Carreras. Ariel had left Cuba 15 days earlier, embarking on the Central American migration route to the United States. From abroad, Ariel expressed his sorrow over the tragedy and thanked neighbors and friends for their support.
The University of Oriente released a statement on social media expressing condolences for the loss of their colleague and extending sympathies to her family.
Growing Concern Over Gender Violence
This incident marks the second known femicide in Santiago de Cuba this month. Just days prior, Yucleidis "Cuca" Morales was murdered in the Songo-La Maya municipality, highlighting the country's rising gender violence. Should this latest murder be confirmed as gender-based violence, the count of femicides in 2024 could reach 43, according to independent monitoring platforms.
Despite Cuban law not recognizing femicide as a distinct crime, 60 gender-related murder cases were prosecuted in 2023. More than 80% of these victims were killed by their partners or ex-partners, as reported by the Cuba Gender Equality Observatory. The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) acknowledged that over 16,000 women and girls face violence in the country, prompting the government in July to establish a national system for recording and tracking gender violence incidents.