The Popular Provincial Court of Pinar del Río has sentenced eight Cubans to as much as 15 years in prison due to their involvement in vehicle theft within the province. The court held a public trial for case number 213/24, where the accused faced charges of burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property, all of which were committed repeatedly, as reported by the official newspaper Guerrillero.
During the trial, it was confirmed that these crimes took place in the municipalities of Consolación del Sur and Pinar del Río. In Consolación del Sur, the thieves broke into homes, particularly garages, by damaging doors, locks, and roofs to steal motorbikes, motorcycles, and other valuable items. In the city of Pinar del Río, they targeted parked vehicles, stealing them without the owners noticing.
Some victims testified that they managed to recover their belongings during the investigation. However, others still suffer financial losses due to the thefts. The court issued prison sentences ranging from three to 15 years for the eight defendants. In addition, they are barred from leaving the country and stripped of certain rights for the duration of their sentences. The accused are also required to compensate the victims for the material damages inflicted, in accordance with civil liability.
This incident is part of a rising tide of violence on the island, where vehicle theft has surged over the past three years, resulting in several fatalities.
Legal Consequences and Rising Crime in Cuba
What charges were the eight Cubans convicted of?
They were convicted of burglary, theft, and receiving stolen property, all committed repeatedly.
What penalties did the court impose on the defendants?
The court sentenced them to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years, prohibited them from leaving the country, and required them to compensate the victims for material damages.
How has vehicle theft impacted Cuba in recent years?
Vehicle theft has significantly increased over the past three years, contributing to the growing violence on the island and resulting in multiple fatalities.