A violent incident has shaken social media in Cuba after reports emerged about the murder of a 21-year-old man, allegedly attacked with a knife while leaving his workplace, leading to his death. According to a post in the Facebook group ‘Crimes and Missing Persons in Cuba,’ a young man named Yoandri Giménez fell victim to an assailant who reportedly stabbed him to steal his cell phone.
The tragic event purportedly occurred at the intersection of Franco and Benjumeda streets in the Centro Habana municipality. The administrator of the group stated that Giménez was confronted by two individuals and suffered fatal stabs to his groin and neck, along with defensive wounds on his arms. Despite managing to call for help, Giménez reportedly died shortly after being taken to Calixto García Hospital. At the time of writing, neither the authorities nor the official media has commented on these reports shared on social media.
In the comments on the post, a user named Edurne Calderón mentioned that the young man lived in her neighborhood, known as "La Victoria" in the same municipality, and extended condolences to his family. This unfortunate event adds to a troubling wave of violence in Cuba, where robberies and knife attacks have surged in recent months. In the same area of Centro Habana, a master baker from "La Colosal" bakery was also reportedly assaulted at 5:00 a.m., according to the same publication.
The case of Yoandri Giménez is not an isolated incident. Throughout 2024, numerous murders and violent robberies have been reported in the country. Among the most recent were the murder of a man in Pinar del Río for his electric bicycle and cell phone and that of a 30-year-old Cuban man killed in Havana for his mobile phone.
Other incidents include a man being caught by several people and handed over to the police after stealing a mobile phone from an elderly woman in Havana, and the murder of a young man in Guantánamo for his mobile phone in December 2023. In previous months, authorities reported the capture of a cell phone thief who used scissors to threaten and rob victims in busy areas of the capital.
There have also been reports of cell phone thefts in commercial establishments, such as cafes, where surveillance cameras have caught thieves in action. Despite authorities claiming that crime has decreased, the perceived lack of safety among citizens continues to grow. Surveillance footage has recently captured thefts in public spaces like cafes, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The Cuban government has repeatedly asserted that insecurity has not increased, arguing that the perception of violence is fueled by social media posts. Nonetheless, citizens continue to report violent incidents in various provinces across the country.
Understanding Violence and Insecurity in Cuba
What led to the increased violence in Cuba?
The increase in violence in Cuba is attributed to a rise in robberies and assaults, particularly involving knives. Economic hardships and the need for basic goods might be contributing factors.
How are citizens responding to the violence?
Citizens are expressing concerns over safety and are increasingly reporting incidents of violence on social media, despite government claims of reduced crime rates.
What measures are being taken by the authorities?
While the government claims crime is decreasing, there has been no significant publicized action plan to address the growing perception of insecurity among citizens.