Independent Cuban platforms confirmed two additional femicides involving elderly women this Thursday. The tragic deaths of Bertha, murdered by her grandson in Havana, and Julia Safón Álvarez, aged 61, killed by her partner in Artemisa, increase the total to five femicides since the beginning of 2025, as recorded by gender violence observatories YoSíTeCreo in Cuba (YSTCC) and the Alas Tensas magazine (OGAT).
"We regret two new femicides in Cuba, both particularly tragic as they involve elderly women, with one being a familial incident, a relatively rare occurrence," stated a communiqué released on social media by these platforms.
Details of the Tragic Incidents
Bertha met her untimely end at the hands of her own grandson on February 11 in their shared home in the Afán neighborhood of San Miguel del Padrón. The assailant, who had a history of violence, has been apprehended. "This family femicide highlights the plight of elderly women in Cuba, who often remain in caregiver roles when they themselves should be receiving care," the platforms warned.
Julia was fatally attacked by her partner on January 7 in their home in the city of Artemisa. The attacker subsequently took his own life. Initial reports, shared on social media, reveal that Julia was brutally stabbed by her husband, Daniel Suárez, with whom she had a 40-year relationship. Sources suggest that Suárez "had served time for murdering one man and stabbing another" and "had health issues that may have contributed to this situation." Julia is survived by two adult daughters.
Community Verification and Continued Investigations
The statement emphasized that both incidents were verified through community sources by the collaborative efforts of OGAT and YSTCC. The platforms are currently investigating four other alerts of potential femicides in Artemisa, Matanzas, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba.
YSTTC and OGAT documented 55 femicides in Cuba in 2024, a troubling figure, although lower than the 89 cases reported the previous year. However, official statistics present higher numbers. Government data revealed that in 2023, 110 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners, representing a rate of 2.16 femicides per 100,000 women. Additionally, 378 cases of sexual violence were prosecuted that year.
Understanding the Femicide Crisis in Cuba
What are the recent femicide statistics in Cuba?
In 2024, YSTTC and OGAT recorded 55 femicides in Cuba, while the government reported 110 femicides in 2023, leading to a rate of 2.16 per 100,000 women.
Who were the recent victims of femicide in Cuba?
The recent victims include Bertha, killed by her grandson in Havana, and Julia Safón Álvarez, murdered by her partner in Artemisa.
How are femicide cases verified in Cuba?
Femicide cases are verified through community sources and collaborative efforts between observatories such as OGAT and YSTCC.