The Provincial Prosecutor's Office of Havana has announced an investigation into the murder of a minor that took place last Saturday, March 21, in the Guiteras neighborhood, also known as Bahía, located in Havana del Este. The victim was a young child.
According to an official statement released on Saturday by the Attorney General's Office, the criminal case is being handled by the Ministry of the Interior, with the Prosecutor's Office maintaining direct oversight of the inquiry.
"Under the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, the Prosecutor's Office has imposed a provisional detention on the suspect, a Cuban citizen who was unemployed at the time of the incident. Investigative measures are underway to gather evidence," the statement reads, though it provides no further specifics about the crime.
"In accordance with the rights and guarantees enshrined in the Constitution and laws, the Prosecutor's Office will pursue public criminal action in court, seeking severe penalties that match the gravity of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it, and will provide timely updates," the statement adds.
This week, independent media outlets reported on the murder of Gabriela Herrera Rodríguez, a seven-year-old girl. Organizations tracking gender-based violence in Cuba have labeled the incident as an act of child femicide.
The tragic event occurred on March 21 in the Chibás neighborhood of Guanabacoa, Havana.
"On the evening of March 21, Gabriela left her home in the Chibás neighborhood and never returned. Her mother, along with family and neighbors, organized a search in the area. Later that night, the girl's body was discovered near her home, close to the residence of the alleged perpetrator. The body showed signs of extreme violence and potential evidence of other abuses. The suspect, a local resident, was apprehended in Guanabacoa following the discovery," reported the independent outlet Alas Tensas.
CiberCuba has not yet confirmed if this is the same case.
Just days earlier, another tragic incident occurred when 14-year-old Katherine Cruz Aguilera was murdered in La Tunas.
The current state of public safety in the nation is deeply concerning. Independent reports have documented 1,319 crimes in Cuba, a figure five times higher than in previous years, highlighting the severe decline in public order across the island.
Understanding the Rise in Crime in Cuba
What measures is the Cuban government taking against rising crime?
The Cuban government has not publicly detailed specific measures to combat rising crime, but investigations and prosecutions are being conducted by the Ministry of the Interior and the Attorney General's Office.
How are independent media outlets contributing to the understanding of crime in Cuba?
Independent media outlets provide critical coverage and reports on crime in Cuba, often highlighting cases that may not be fully covered by state media, thereby offering a broader perspective on the issue.