Police in Holguín have apprehended those accountable for a child abuse case that ignited widespread outrage throughout Cuba this Sunday after it went viral on social media.
"Authorities from the Provincial Revolutionary Police (PNR) in Holguín executed an arrest warrant issued by the provincial Prosecutor's Office for interrogation of Elizabeth González Díaz (a native of Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila) and her husband," reported the state-aligned Facebook account, Comunicador Mamanantuabo.
The arrested individuals are implicated in the horrific abuse reported hours earlier across multiple social media profiles. The victim, a 10-year-old girl, is the daughter of Elizabeth and stepdaughter to the husband, who is allegedly the person recording the appalling video. A police operation ensued, leading to their detention.
On Sunday, the viral child abuse case shocked Cuba as it spread across social platforms. The footage depicted a mother savagely beating her young daughter with a stick.
The child, tied up in the yard, was left bleeding and terrified. Activist Lara Crofts identified the mother, Elizabeth González Díaz, via social media, noting that neighbors have long described her as a violent and contentious figure since her teenage years.
"What exacerbates this atrocity is the coldness with which another person records the event, treating it like a spectacle. Worse still, this individual forces another child to pour cold water over the bleeding girl’s head to ‘clean’ the blood, subjecting him to psychological torture that will haunt him forever," the activist stated.
"Amidst the chaos, she yells at the girl, threatening to 'end her life.' This is not discipline; it's an intolerable crime! No academic mistake warrants threatening or harming a child this way," she added.
The activist criticized the "authorities in Ciego de Ávila, especially the police, for being blind to these atrocities. They ignore the cries of children but aggressively pursue dissenting voices."
Despite being originally from Ceballos, it appears the woman was living with her family in Holguín, where she was ultimately apprehended.
Key Questions on Child Abuse Case in Cuba
Who are the individuals involved in the child abuse case?
The individuals involved are Elizabeth González Díaz and her husband, who is the stepfather of the abused child.
How did the child abuse case become known in Cuba?
The case became widely known after a video of the abuse went viral on social media, sparking outrage across the country.
What actions did the authorities take in response to the incident?
Authorities in Holguín arrested Elizabeth González Díaz and her husband, executing an arrest warrant for interrogation.