In Artemisa, the tragic murder of a woman named Yaniset Serrano has sparked outrage, as the primary suspect, her former partner Eliudis Sabón, remains on the run. Activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia shared the heartbreaking news on Facebook, revealing that Serrano, originally from Dos Caminos in Santiago de Cuba, had been living in San Antonio de los Baños for some time.
The brutal crime took place last Tuesday around 5:00 pm, after hours of torment, as Serrano was on her way to the police station. "They had been separated for five months because he habitually abused her and even his own 13-year-old daughter. The night before the incident, he broke into her home, held a knife to her throat, and tried to force her into submission. She threatened to report him, and the next day, while she was heading to the police, he killed her," Salcedo Verdecia recounted.
The fugitive suspect has allegedly threatened the life of Serrano's best friend, Elizabeth Larrea, and his own daughter, who are currently under police protection. According to one of Serrano's nephews, she was a loving aunt, so much so that many believed she had children of her own due to her affectionate nature. Despite her origins from San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, she had been residing in El Borjita, San Antonio de Los Baños.
Neighbors reported that the killer, armed with a machete, was seen lurking around the area. They criticized the police for their lack of patrols and action, especially after witnesses saw him entering the yard with the weapon. Earlier this year, on January 8, independent feminist platforms confirmed the first femicide of 2025 in Cuba, following the murder of Elizabeth (Lisi) Ramírez Fernández, a mother living in Holguín.
In 2024, these platforms verified 55 femicides, eight attempted femicides, and six cases still pending police investigation. Additionally, two gender-based murders of men were reported. While the Cuban regime has acknowledged the issue of gender violence, with 110 femicides and 378 sexual violence cases prosecuted in 2023, femicide itself is not explicitly defined as a crime in the Penal Code that has been in effect since May 2022.
Understanding the Femicide Crisis in Cuba
What is the current legal status of femicide in Cuba?
As of May 2022, femicide is not categorized as a specific crime in the Cuban Penal Code. The authorities have recognized gender violence issues, but the legal framework lacks explicit provisions for femicide.
How many femicides were reported in Cuba in 2024?
In 2024, independent feminist platforms confirmed 55 femicides, along with eight attempted femicides and six cases still under investigation.
What actions are being taken against gender violence in Cuba?
In 2023, Cuban authorities prosecuted 110 femicides and 378 cases of sexual violence. However, the lack of specific legal recognition for femicide complicates efforts to address the issue fully.