Residents of the Canasí district in Santiago de Cuba took matters into their own hands last Saturday, apprehending a young man suspected of being part of the notorious gang known as the 'Matotones de Canasí'. The suspect was caught transporting stolen sheep meat in a wheelbarrow along the road to El Caney, behind the EIDE Capitán Orestes Acosta.
According to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who reported the incident on his Facebook page, the suspect used his father’s wheelbarrow to move the stolen goods.
In a striking turn of events, it was not the police but local residents and family members who captured the suspect. They acted independently due to what they describe as a chronic and unprecedented police sluggishness.
The Gang's Decade-Long Influence
The gang has been operating in Canasí for over a decade, with its influence extending to nearby areas such as Sevilla, El Caney, Abel Santa María, Zacateca, and Micro 1-B, as documented by the community.
From May 2024 until the recent capture, the gang is reported to have left a trail of violence and theft, including the slaughter of both large and small livestock. Their illicit activities involved stealing three horses, three calves, four sheep, and two heifers from local farmers, as well as committing violent home invasions.
Community Concerns and Institutional Inaction
On the Friday before the suspect's arrest, 12 sheep vanished along the same path where he was later apprehended. The community is particularly alarmed by the official response: over 20 formal complaints have been filed with the police, yet there has been no response, investigation, strategy, or resulting judicial action.
Some residents suspect the inaction of authorities in El Caney, Abel Santamaría, and Sevilla might not be coincidental, hinting at potential ties between law enforcement personnel and the criminal network, although these allegations remain unconfirmed due to the persistent impunity.
A Broader Issue of Public Security
The individual detained is believed to be merely a minor player in a larger organization comprising both men and women who continue to operate freely in the area. Residents are concerned that thefts may escalate due to the lack of police intervention.
This incident is not isolated. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 323 confirmed crimes in Santiago de Cuba in 2025, marking a national rise of 115% in total crimes compared to 2024 and a 479% increase in thefts over 2023.
The decline in public safety coincides with approximately 20% of police personnel deserting over the past year and an economy that shrank by 5% in 2025, accumulating a 15% decline since 2020.
Taking Justice into Their Own Hands
With the state's absence, Cubans increasingly resort to community justice. This week, hospital workers in Santiago de Cuba cornered and apprehended a thief, a scenario reflective of a broader trend across the island.
The community demands that this case not be shelved, but investigated thoroughly, with those responsible held accountable, so that Canasí can live without fear.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crime in Santiago de Cuba
What prompted the residents to capture the suspect in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents were motivated to act due to the perceived inaction and sluggish response from local police authorities, taking justice into their own hands to address the criminal activity in their community.
What has been the impact of the 'Matotones de Canasí' gang in the area?
The gang has been responsible for a decade-long streak of violence and theft, including livestock theft and violent home invasions, affecting the safety and security of multiple neighborhoods in the region.
How has crime evolved in Santiago de Cuba in recent years?
Crime has surged in Santiago de Cuba, with a significant increase in theft and overall criminal activity, as reported by the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory, highlighting a troubling trend in public safety.