Father Leandro NaunHung, the Catholic priest at San José Obrero parish in Santiago de Cuba, has made a public report concerning the theft of kitchen utensils from their community kitchen, which provides meals to children and vulnerable families in the area.
A local resident involved in food preparation recounted how thieves scaled the property's fence, absconding with two basins, a large potable water container, and the pot used to cook rice for neighborhood children.
"I left it behind the house, but we never imagined they'd break in because we thought it was securely locked. Yet, they jumped the fence," the elderly woman explained to NaunHung in a video posted on Facebook.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Father NaunHung maintained a composed demeanor, though he didn’t hide his displeasure.
"Could this have been sabotage against your children's kitchen?" he queried, to which the woman answered, "Indeed, Father."
Undeterred, NaunHung pledged to find a solution: "We'll get another pot. It's not easy."
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
The priest actively supports his parishioners' solidarity initiatives, urging them to rise above passive resistance and emphasizing resilience and transformation as responses to adversity.
On social media, NaunHung frequently shares videos showcasing how church members, many of whom are from humble backgrounds, engage in projects to aid children and vulnerable individuals in Santiago's rural areas.
He stresses that resilience is the key to overcoming challenges, contrasting it with resistance, which he believes leads to burnout: "Resistance ultimately leads to an explosion... It's not about resisting, but about changing."
Crime Wave in Santiago de Cuba
The theft of the pot, essential for feeding children in his community, underscores the social decay exacerbated by 67 years of communist dictatorship in Cuba: a priest filling the gaps left by the state, becoming a target for rampant crime while the regime turns a blind eye.
Following Hurricane Melissa in November 2025, Father NaunHung reflected that structural poverty—not the hurricane—left thousands of families homeless.
In March, he documented firewood stoves being set up on balconies in Santiago de Cuba due to the total absence of electricity and domestic gas, capturing the severity of the energy crisis.
The theft from his community is not an isolated event. Santiago de Cuba is experiencing an unprecedented crime wave, including the looting of a private daycare on April 1 and the March 24 robbery at Tropicana cabaret, where a guard was injured and warehouses were emptied.
According to the Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audit, 2025 saw a 115% increase in verified crimes in Cuba compared to 2024, totaling 2,833, with theft being the most common: 1,536 cases.
Santiago de Cuba ranked as the fourth most affected province, with 323 recorded crimes. The police have exhibited systematic inaction, with emergency response times delayed by up to 10 hours, prioritizing political repression over public safety.
Understanding the Social Impact and Crime in Santiago de Cuba
What led to the theft at the community kitchen in Santiago de Cuba?
Thieves scaled the fence of the property and stole essential kitchen utensils used for feeding children and vulnerable families in the area.
How is Father NaunHung addressing the theft?
Father NaunHung is committed to finding a solution and plans to replace the stolen pot, emphasizing resilience and community support in the face of adversity.
What is the current crime situation in Santiago de Cuba?
Santiago de Cuba is experiencing a significant increase in crime, including thefts and robberies, with police response times being notably slow.
How does the church contribute to the local community in Santiago de Cuba?
The church, led by Father NaunHung, supports community initiatives to aid children and vulnerable individuals, filling gaps left by state neglect.