Renowned Cuban artist and playwright Yadian Rizo Abreu endured a vicious attack at the hands of security personnel at La Casona, a cultural venue situated on 17th Street between M and N in Havana's Vedado district. The incident occurred during a sociocultural project called La Mina on April 4.
The alarming event was brought to public attention by Translúcidos, a support network for the LGBTQ+ community in Cuba. They took to Facebook to describe the brutality as "an act of barbarism," demanding immediate justice.
According to Translúcidos, the security officers not only restrained Rizo Abreu but also used choking and strangulation techniques, threw him to the ground causing a head injury, and hurled explicitly homophobic insults.
Artistic Exploration Turns to Violence
"What was meant to be an exercise in social research and artistic performance devolved into a barbaric act," the organization stated, emphasizing that the event was intended to be a cultural and artistic endeavor.
Translúcidos made a strong legal statement regarding the assault: "The excessive use of force and strangulation are criminal acts. Those involved must be aware that their actions were illegal and profoundly inhumane. We demand immediate disciplinary and legal actions; these acts of hatred cannot go unpunished."
A Disturbing Pattern of Homophobia
The organization pointed out the troubling inconsistency in how the venue is managed. "While diverse performances are allowed, and women can remain in intimate apparel without issue, the response shifts drastically when a gay man or a diverse individual intervenes."
For Translúcidos, the motivation behind the attack is clear: "There was no security protocol; it was a hunt driven by prejudice. The disparity in treatment shows the issue isn't 'intervention' but the structural homophobia of those guarding the site."
This incident is part of a documented pattern of violence against the LGBTQ+ community in Cuba, characterized by impunity and the absence of legal frameworks to recognize and punish hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Recent Episodes of Violence
Recent incidents include an October 2025 assault on trans women near Havana's Sports City, where one victim suffered a head wound.
In June 2023, six trans women were stoned in Cárdenas, Matanzas. When they reported the attack, a police officer dismissively stated that "such injuries don't warrant a report, and hate crimes based on gender aren't pursued."
That same year, trans woman Flavia Herrera Rodríguez died under circumstances activists called a possible femicide, yet no investigation results have been disclosed.
Call to Action from Translúcidos
Translúcidos urged the artistic community and authorities to speak out: "LGBTQ+ bodies are not punching bags, nor are we objects to discharge frustrations or hateful rhetoric. Public spaces and cultural centers must cease to be danger zones for our community. We will not retreat in making these abuses visible."
Understanding Violence Against the LGBTQ+ Community in Cuba
What happened to Yadian Rizo Abreu in Havana?
Yadian Rizo Abreu, a Cuban artist, was brutally assaulted by security personnel at a cultural venue in Havana during a sociocultural event. The attack involved physical restraint, choking, and homophobic insults.
Who reported the assault on Yadian Rizo Abreu?
The incident was publicly reported by Translúcidos, a support network for the LGBTQ+ community in Cuba, who described the event as an act of barbarism and called for immediate justice.
Is violence against the LGBTQ+ community common in Cuba?
Yes, the LGBTQ+ community in Cuba faces a documented pattern of violence, often marked by impunity and a lack of legal frameworks to address hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity.