A heart-wrenching incident has once again highlighted the rampant violence against women in Cuba. Rosa Idania (Rosy) Ferrer Pérez, a 46-year-old nurse, tragically lost her life at the hands of her partner in the Elpidio Gómez community in Palmira, Cienfuegos. The Gender Observatory Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed this heinous act through their social media channels.
Renowned for her dedication to healthcare, Rosy endured years of abuse from her alleged attacker, Arisbel Suárez. Her life was brutally taken in the very home they shared, underscoring the lack of effective protection and institutional support for victims in Cuba.
Systemic Failures in Protecting Women
Alas Tensas urged compassion for women trapped in cycles of violence, like Rosy, who find it nearly impossible to escape due to the absence of state-run shelters, comprehensive psychological support, preventive campaigns, and specific legal frameworks addressing gender violence.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The Facebook page "Nio Reporting a Crime" identified the alleged perpetrator as Arisbel Suárez, known by his nickname "Felipillo." Following the murder on the night of November 30, Suárez fled the scene. Reports indicate that he violently beat and strangled Rosy, a crime that has shaken the local community.
Community reports and local media note that Arisbel Suárez has a criminal history, including imprisonment for illegal cattle slaughtering activities.
Independent Verification of the Crime
The murder was initially reported by citizens, activists, and independent media, and later confirmed by community observation networks of OGAT and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC). These organizations verified the details with local sources, maintaining parallel records due to the lack of official statistics and the non-recognition of femicide as a legal category in Cuba.
Alarming Statistics of Gender-Based Violence
As of December 3, 2025, OGAT and YSTCC data reveal:
- 42 femicides
- 1 gender-motivated male murder
- 16 attempted femicides
- 3 cases under verification
Investigations are ongoing for cases in:
- Santiago de Cuba
- Camagüey
- Artemisa
- Villa Clara
- Granma
These figures, solely documented by independent organizations, highlight a profound institutional gap that leaves women vulnerable, lacking effective channels for reporting, escaping, or receiving support.
A Call for Urgent Action
Alas Tensas extended their condolences to Rosy's adult children, family, friends, and patients, who mourn her passing and remember her fondly on social media.
Rosy's untimely death, as with many other women on the island, serves as a dire warning: without real public policies, shelters, protection, and state will, gender-based violence will continue to claim lives.
Understanding Gender Violence in Cuba
What are the main challenges in addressing gender violence in Cuba?
Key challenges include the lack of state-run shelters, absence of comprehensive psychological support, no preventive campaigns, and the absence of specific legal frameworks against gender violence.
How are femicides tracked and reported in Cuba?
Femicides in Cuba are tracked and reported by independent organizations like OGAT and YSTCC due to a lack of official statistics and recognition of femicide as a legal category in the country.