A resident of Boca de Camarioca, located in the Cárdenas municipality of Matanzas, reached out on Facebook this Wednesday, sharing security camera footage to seek assistance in identifying two burglars who targeted his home early Tuesday morning.
Luis Cárdenas, in his post on the group "Revolico Compra y Venta Boca de Camarioca," described how the two perpetrators appeared around 3:50 a.m. and attempted to break into his house, damaging two of the windows in the process.
The footage, captured by his home surveillance system, shows two individuals dressed in dark clothing — with one wearing a cap — attempting to tamper with a barred window. The post features at least 11 images taken from the closed-circuit television.
"Urgent attention, people of Boca: two burglars targeting houses in Boca de Camarioca on the 28th around 3:50 a.m. They have noticeable features for recognition, zoom in on the photos. They damaged two of my windows. If anyone recognizes them, please contact me," Cárdenas wrote.
In the comments section, Cárdenas provided more details: "After leaving my place, they tried to steal a motorcycle from another house. They cut the bars, but the bike had a lock and alarm. We need someone to identify them, they have many recognizable features."
The post triggered immediate outrage among neighbors. Lisett Rodríguez expressed her frustration: "How long do we have to put up with these shameless people who refuse to work and spend all night stealing and harming others? Until there are stricter laws and enforcement, this will continue, for God's sake."
Another user, Norgia García, suggested a potential connection between the thieves and the resale of stolen goods: "They buy any little piece of gold... and then they come back."
This incident is not isolated. In December 2025, two masked individuals violently broke into a home in Boca de Camarioca, severely injuring a couple and stealing 135,000 Cuban pesos, 4,000 dollars, jewelry, phones, and security equipment. Police later arrested the two suspects in the Bellotex area.
Earlier in October 2025, a confessed thief admitted to committing four burglaries in the same locality, including one where two televisions were stolen.
Matanzas has the highest crime rate in Cuba. According to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory, insecurity in Cuba reached unprecedented levels in 2025, with 2,833 verified crimes — a 115% increase from 2024 — and 503 cases concentrated in this province.
Burglaries in homes accounted for 1,536 cases nationwide in 2025, marking a 479% rise from 2023. The frequent power outages, which aid nighttime burglaries, and the perceived inaction by police have driven citizens to use social media as a tool for community surveillance and reporting, sharing images of suspects to urge identifications and arrests.
This pattern is evident across multiple locations in Matanzas, where a daylight robbery in Cárdenas earlier in the year sparked outrage on social media, highlighting that the surge in crime knows no boundaries of time or place.
Combatting Crime in Matanzas: Key Questions Answered
What measures are residents taking to combat crime in Matanzas?
Residents are increasingly using social media to share surveillance footage and information about suspects in an effort to identify and capture criminals.
Why is crime rising in Matanzas?
The rise in crime is attributed to frequent power outages that facilitate nighttime burglaries and a perceived lack of effective police action.
What was the impact of the December 2025 home invasion in Boca de Camarioca?
The home invasion resulted in severe injuries to a couple and the theft of significant amounts of money, jewelry, and electronics, highlighting the severity of crime in the area.