Once more, the sword from the statue of Major General Julio Grave de Peralta (1834-1872) has been stolen from its location in the park that bears his name. Known as Parque de las Flores, this park is one of the most central and historic public spaces in Holguín.
The theft was reported recently on the Facebook group "Holguín en fotos," accompanied by comparative images showing that the sword was intact just a month ago.
This recurring theft has become a significant concern for the residents of Holguín, as multiple citizens noted in the post that the sword has been taken at least three times.
"Interestingly, the sword has been stolen, to my knowledge, at least three times. Twice before 2020. It could be even more. The solution would be to permanently attach it to the sculpture. I don't understand why it's a removable piece," wrote Carlos Noval Mora.
Holguín-based content creator Ghabriel Pérez highlighted in a video the symbolic weight of this crime.
"You wouldn't need to hold a sign saying 'Patria y Vida' to be detained. Just the word 'Patria' would be enough. Yet, in plain view, near the Holguín TV channel (Telecristal), the machete of the city's second-most important patriot was stolen," he commented.
The person who reported the theft on "Holguín en fotos" also noted that the perimeter fence gates of the park are missing, expressing his frustration. "It wouldn't surprise me if one day we wake up and the statue of Calixto García (1839-1898) is gone because someone needed it for a practical project," he lamented.
This is not the first act of vandalism documented in this area. In December 2025, a man was caught on video tearing down a fence in Parque de las Flores in broad daylight, without anyone intervening, an event that led to a report on national television, seemingly without any deterrent effect.
Public outrage over the recent theft highlights a broader pattern of decay that is overtaking the park. "What does the police do? Hand out fines for selling small items or harass people with differing opinions while crime runs rampant," questioned user Marlene Rodríguez.
Other residents point to a complete lack of authority. "There are no benches left in the parks; there's no authority in this city. They're destroying our beautiful city more each day," wrote Mañi Cobiella Valdivia.
Manuel Iniesta Ortega, a nearly 60-year-old Holguin resident, summed up the community's sentiment. "We always prided ourselves on being a clean city where order, respect, and sanity prevailed. The lack of a sense of belonging cannot take root among Holguín's citizens. The thought of vandalism escalating frightens me," he confessed.
The deterioration is widespread throughout the city. Holguín's once-pristine streets now host nightly trash fires. The former Holguín-Gibara train station was reported as a dump in April, and the sculpture of the woman with an umbrella on the pedestrian boulevard is at risk of collapse.
Additionally, the municipal cemetery in Mayabe was reported in February for desecration and neglect, with broken niches and exposed skeletal remains.
This issue isn't unique to Holguín. Citizen Loriet Cañadilla Sánchez warned, "In Bayamo, they're taking the marble from Plaza de la Patria, the streetlights, and in Pase de Los Alazanes, all the lamps and their bases are gone."
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded 2,833 crimes in Cuba in 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024, with 1,536 robberies—an alarming 479% rise since 2023.
Understanding the Crime Surge in Holguín
Why is the sword from Julio Grave de Peralta's statue frequently stolen?
The sword is a separate element that is not permanently fixed to the statue, making it an easy target for thieves.
What are residents of Holguín saying about the vandalism?
Residents express frustration over the lack of police action and the apparent decay of their city, fearing that vandalism could become more severe.
Is the vandalism issue limited to Holguín?
No, similar issues are being reported in other cities like Bayamo, where public property is also being stolen or damaged.