An elderly farmer from Cuba, aged 71, has been compelled to sell his cattle due to the persistent threat of theft and illegal slaughter, a situation he described in an interview with the EFE news agency. This alarming trend has become a severe issue for cattle owners in the country. "Many farmers have lost a lot of cattle. They started killing my cows every two or three days, then it was every 15 days. I've lost up to eight! I told my brother, 'Look, I can't go on. Let's sell everything because at this rate, we'll be left with nothing and we're already old,'" recounted Julio, who lives in Vegas, a town situated between Cárdenas and Santa Marta.
Julio further explained that the situation was exacerbated by the stress of being unable to meet the milk quota demanded by the communist regime and the lack of resources to pay for a guard to protect his livestock. Even when thefts or illegal slaughters are reported, it doesn't bring back the lost animal.
Another farmer, choosing to remain anonymous, shared with EFE that the mentality of many has deteriorated since the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting hardworking individuals who rise at dawn to tend to their cattle. "They've chosen the easiest path: targeting a farmer who wakes up at 3 a.m. to milk his cow, only to find it butchered when he arrives," he expressed.
This is far from an isolated incident. The theft and illegal slaughter of cattle, a criminal offense in Cuba, has been a longstanding issue, resurfacing with stark intensity whenever an economic crisis arises. Recent months have seen a significant increase in these cases, underscoring the crisis in agricultural production and the mounting insecurity in rural areas.
In one instance, a farmer from Sancti Spíritus reported the slaughter of several of his cattle, including two pregnant cows and three young bulls, urging the government to implement concrete measures to curb such crimes. He claims that the impunity of thieves is a major factor undermining livestock farming on the island, leaving producers highly vulnerable.
According to the Cuban regime, crimes related to cattle significantly impact the country's economy and food security. More than 9,000 individuals were involved in such offenses in 2024, as reported by Colonel Manuel Valdés Brito, head of the Confrontation Body at the Technical Investigation Directorate (DTI) of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
Understanding the Cattle Theft Crisis in Cuba
What are the main reasons behind the increase in cattle theft in Cuba?
The rise in cattle theft in Cuba is largely attributed to economic crises, lack of security in rural areas, and the impunity with which thieves operate, leaving farmers vulnerable and defenseless.
How is the Cuban government addressing these crimes?
The Cuban government has reported involvement of more than 9,000 individuals in such crimes, and while they claim these activities severely impact the economy and food security, concrete measures to prevent them remain lacking, according to affected farmers.