A man who had been on the run after murdering his ex-wife in Artemisa has finally been captured. The arrest was announced by activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia on her Facebook page, where she initially reported the incident.
"I hope justice is served! His name is Eliudis Savón," she stated.
The victim, Yaniset Serrano, originally from Dos Caminos in San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, had been residing in El Borjita, a settlement in San Antonio de los Baños, for some time. The horrific crime took place on Tuesday, January 14th, at 5:00 p.m., after several hours of torture. Serrano was on her way to the police station to file a complaint when Savón attacked her with a machete.
"They had been separated for five months because he was always abusive towards her and his own 13-year-old daughter," Salcedo Verdecia explained. "The night before, he broke into the house, held a knife to her throat, and tried to force her into bed. She threatened to report him, and the next day, as she headed to the police, he killed her."
The murderer also threatened to kill Yaniset's best friend and her daughter, prompting authorities to place them under police protection.
Earlier this year, on January 8th, independent feminist platforms confirmed the first femicide of 2025 in Cuba, involving a mother from Holguín named Elizabeth (Lisi) Ramírez Fernández. This tragic trend has continued, with 55 femicides confirmed in 2024 by December 19th, along with eight attempted femicides and six cases still pending investigation. Additionally, two gender-motivated murders of men were reported.
In 2023, official statistics showed that 110 femicides and 378 cases of sexual violence were prosecuted in Cuba, reflecting a serious and ongoing issue.
Understanding the Femicide Crisis in Cuba
What led to the capture of Eliudis Savón?
Eliudis Savón was captured after being on the run for murdering his ex-wife, Yaniset Serrano, as she was heading to the police station to report his previous abuse.
How are authorities responding to threats against witnesses?
The police have placed Yaniset's best friend and her daughter under protection after the murderer threatened their lives.
What are the statistics on femicide in Cuba for recent years?
In 2024, 55 femicides were confirmed with additional attempted cases. In 2023, 110 femicides and 378 sexual violence cases were prosecuted according to official data.