A Cuban woman has reported a violent armed robbery involving the theft of a motorcycle in the Marianao district of Havana. Captured by a security camera, the incident shows what appears to be a long gun. According to online user Jesmy García—who shared a couple of videos on social media—two armed criminals stole a messenger's motorcycle. The vehicle was a hard-earned purchase for the single father, who uses it to support his family.
The brazen theft occurred specifically on Avenida 45, between 118 and 120. "This must be the work of a policeman or someone with access to Cuban government-controlled machine guns. According to the regime, no one should have this kind of weapon. And no police do anything. Help me make this video go viral," García stated.
Although the victim was physically unharmed, García added that he suffered from elevated blood pressure due to the ordeal. "If anyone tells me there are no weapons to defend Cuba for its freedom, I'll laugh in their face. Look at the assault rifles those thugs had," she concluded.
The footage—lacking audio of the robbery—shows two masked individuals intimidating and tying up a young man. Observers of the security camera video noted that one of the assailants also wielded a handgun and a knife, even suggesting stabbing the robbery victim.
In a second post, Jesmy García shared another video from a different angle, but her complaint extended beyond the robbery itself. "The motorcycle is just a material thing. What hurts most is what Cuba has become. I grew up in my beautiful Cuba, where playing with friends and going to school were our only concerns," she lamented.
She criticized the social decay that Cuba has experienced in recent years. "Now we live among cartels and mafias. These murderers have left our homeland in shambles. They don't care if there are sick children, elderly people searching for food on the streets, or if you're struck by lightning. Is there a way back?" she questioned.
The report has sparked concern among local residents, who fear that the circulation of high-caliber weapons is becoming more common, adding to an already alarming public safety issue. As of this article's closure, no further details about the incident have been disclosed.
In recent days, reports of assaults and robberies involving firearms in Cuba have surged. Recently, Cuba's General Customs of the Republic (AGR) acknowledged in its annual report that increased traffic through the green channel, due to tariff exemptions, has led to more attempts to smuggle weapons into the country, as well as drug trafficking and other contraband activities.
According to the official report—cited by state media—2024 saw attempts to bring in "a significant number of weapons, 35 cases of drug trafficking, and over 300 contraband-related products." The report did not specify the number of weapons travelers tried to sneak past border controls.
Understanding the Rise of Armed Robberies in Cuba
What sparked the recent surge in armed robberies in Cuba?
The increase in armed robberies is attributed to the greater circulation of firearms, facilitated by loopholes in customs and a lack of effective policing.
How are high-caliber weapons entering Cuba?
Customs reports indicate that the rise in weapon smuggling is linked to increased traffic through less regulated customs channels, such as the green channel.
What are the implications of this trend for public safety in Cuba?
The presence of more firearms poses a significant threat to public safety, exacerbating social issues and contributing to widespread fear among citizens.