Independent Cuban platforms have confirmed the tragic deaths of a 14-year-old girl and a 62-year-old woman last week, bringing the number of feminicide victims in Cuba to 11 so far in 2026.
The gender observatories of Alas Tensas magazine (OGAT) and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC) have verified these acts of extreme violence, highlighting the vulnerability of both adolescents and elderly women.
According to a statement circulated on social media, the young victim, identified as Katherine Cruz Aguilera, allegedly died violently at the hands of her stepfather on March 14, in her home located in La Caldosa neighborhood, El Cornito, Las Tunas.
Details regarding the circumstances of this shocking crime remain sparse. The platforms have extended their condolences to the girl's mother and her family.
The murder of Santa Durán Hurtado, aged 62, by her grandson on either March 13 or 14, has also been confirmed, although the exact location of the incident was not disclosed.
Feminicide Family Tragedy
The observatories have classified the murder as "feminicide within the family," noting its rarity among forms of gender-based violence.
The platforms also highlighted the crisis faced by certain populations, including children, teenagers, and the elderly, amid Cuba's current humanitarian crisis. This crisis is also evidenced by the increasing number of feminicides.
OGAT and YSTCC's records indicate that from the start of the year until March 18, 11 feminicides, seven attempts, and the gender-based murder of a man have been reported.
The observatories are investigating 11 potential feminicides, four attempts, and one gender-related male murder from 2025, alongside five possible feminicides signaled this year.
Legal and Institutional Gaps
In 2025, at least 48 women lost their lives to gender violence in Cuba, according to OGAT and YSTCC, which only provide a partial view due to the Cuban state's failure to release comprehensive and transparent statistics.
Both platforms have continuously denounced the legal and institutional void regarding feminicides in Cuba. The island lacks a comprehensive gender violence law, and while the Penal Code mentions gender-based violence, it does not independently classify feminicide as a crime. Moreover, there are no shelters or accessible protection protocols for at-risk women and girls.
These systemic shortcomings expose countless women to known aggressors—such as partners, ex-partners, neighbors, and family members—and foster a climate of impunity. The regime's response to the escalating violence against women is deemed insufficient.
Understanding Cuba's Feminicide Crisis
What is the current legal framework for addressing feminicide in Cuba?
Cuba does not have a comprehensive law addressing gender violence, and feminicide is not independently classified as a crime within the Penal Code. This legal gap results in a lack of protection for women and girls at risk.
How are independent platforms contributing to the awareness of feminicides in Cuba?
Platforms such as Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba are crucial in documenting and verifying cases of feminicide. They provide a record of incidents and highlight the urgent need for legal and institutional reforms.
What are the main challenges faced by women and girls in Cuba regarding gender-based violence?
Women and girls in Cuba face significant challenges, including a lack of legal protection, insufficient support structures like shelters, and a culture of impunity that allows gender-based violence to persist unchecked.