In an audacious act under the glaring sun, a man was filmed as he tore down a section of the metal fence surrounding the Aricochea Street bus stop, directly opposite Las Flores Park.
The incident took place around two in the afternoon and was captured on video by a passerby. The footage was later shared on the Facebook page Holguín en Fotos.
"A resident of Holguín, at 2 PM, breaks off a part of the fence... and takes it. Just like that, as casually as plucking a leaf for a remedy," wrote the post's author.
The video depicts the man bending a piece of the fence until it came loose, then walking away with the metal chunk slung over his shoulder. No one intervened. No one yelled. No one alerted the authorities.
This brazen theft occurred in a bustling, supposedly monitored area, where locals claim security cameras are installed.
Rampant Lawlessness in Broad Daylight
The footage sparked widespread reactions. While theft of public property is not new in Cuba—cases of stolen park benches, manhole covers, sports facility fences, and even medical furniture have been documented—the sheer audacity of this act left many stunned.
"He carried it off like it was his own park," remarked one observer.
"This is how the fences from the Quijote, the children's park, and the EIDE have disappeared," another user added.
The Eroding Rule of Law
Criticism was not only directed at the thief. Many comments slammed the lack of police presence and institutional neglect.
"There are cameras there, but what's the point if no one checks them?" one follower questioned. "The police only show up if someone protests with a sign, not when urban furniture is stolen," was another common critique.
Even those who supported recording instead of intervening physically noted the lack of protection for citizens confronting such acts.
"What if he was armed? What if he comes back for revenge?" a commenter asked. "Here, people have been jailed for defending themselves in their own homes," another pointed out.
Desperation or Crime?
The incident also spurred debate over the root causes of such vandalism. Some attribute it to extreme poverty and desperation, while others view it as a clear sign of moral decline and social decay.
"That man probably sold it for food; where else would he get money in this country?" a user speculated.
"There's always been need, but never with such shamelessness," another retorted.
"I know an 80-year-old man who cleans yards for a few pesos. Why couldn't this guy do the same?" a neighbor indignantly wrote.
Some comments even justified the theft if the fence belonged to the state, arguing that the people are "just taking back what the government takes from them."
A Society in Decline
Beyond this specific theft, many interpreted the scene as a symbol of the moral collapse of Cuban society.
The loss of a sense of belonging, indifference, pervasive distrust, and fear of acting explain, in part, why such acts are becoming increasingly common... and increasingly public.
"It's not just about what gets stolen. It's how, when, and in front of whom it happens," a woman noted.
"This is how they've taken benches, streetlights, manhole covers... The country is falling apart, and no one is doing anything," another observed.
A frequently echoed comment was: "Respect for the law has been lost because the law lost respect for us."
More Than Just a Fence
Some lamented the normalization of these events: "It's just a fence, but behind it is a city crumbling," a young woman wrote.
Others questioned the act of recording and posting on social media without further action: "If nothing is done beyond the video, this will keep happening over and over," they said.
"The country is so broken that they don't even bother hiding it. They steal in broad daylight, right in your face, and no one sees anything," an outraged user concluded.
Understanding the Theft and Public Reaction in Holguín
Why did the man steal the fence in Holguín?
The motivations behind the theft could range from desperation due to poverty to a broader decline in social values and respect for property.
What has been the public's reaction to the theft?
The public reaction has been one of outrage and frustration, with many criticizing the lack of law enforcement and the normalization of such acts.
Is theft of public property common in Cuba?
Yes, theft of public property has been documented frequently in Cuba, with items such as park benches, manhole covers, and sports facility fences often reported missing.
How does this incident reflect on Cuban society?
This incident is seen as indicative of a broader moral and social collapse, highlighting issues such as loss of community spirit, distrust, and fear.