In the town of Herradura, located in the municipality of Consolación del Sur, law enforcement officers have dismantled an illegal cockfighting ring, according to the pro-government Facebook page "De Pinar soy."
The post, which took a moralistic stance, failed to address the animal cruelty involved in these activities. Instead, it defended the operation by stating that such rings "foster public disorder," encourage alcohol and drug use, and "facilitate the growth of social ills like prostitution."
The message concluded with a stern warning: "Laws are meant to be obeyed," reminding violators that they face fines, court summons, and potential imprisonment.
State's Double Standards
What the official page neglected to mention is that the regime itself legally operates cockfighting events through ALCONA S.A., a company under the Grupo Empresarial Flora y Fauna and linked to the historic commander Guillermo García Frías.
While the Animal Welfare Decree-Law 31/2021 prohibits inducing animals to fight, it makes an exception for fights sanctioned by the competent authority. This loophole allows ALCONA to run legal cockfighting clubs while the police target underground rings.
Cubans quickly pointed out this contradiction. "Why don't they touch the main promoter of cockfights, Guillermo García?" questioned one user.
Another was more blunt: "Double standards. These are part of the state-owned Flora and Fauna company, which is nothing but an enrichment scheme... We can't touch them."
A third commentator summed up the widespread perception: "They just don't want competition; clandestine rings provide income to many families... and offer better security in the same environment than state-run rings."
Allegations of Police Corruption
Several users questioned the true motives behind the raid.
"They did it because the owner of the ring didn't pay off the head of the police, didn't fulfill the contract," wrote one, suggesting the intervention was more about settling a corruption score than enforcing the law.
The distrust extended to the topic of actual crime.
"Meanwhile, thieves roam freely and fearlessly even during the day because a cockfighting ring and four motorcycles with reducers are more important... what madness," lamented an internet user, criticizing the police for not focusing on other types of crime.
Another shared their experience: "I got robbed of everything in my house... they held the main suspect for two days and let him go because he didn't confess... thieves are now authorized."
Many concluded the same: "Catching thieves requires sacrifices... it's easier to go after the low-hanging fruit."
An Escape Amid the Crisis
In a municipality plagued by power outages and chronic shortages, Cubans view cockfighting rings as one of the few available entertainment options.
"At least they find some amusement in cockfights, because without electricity, without food, it's unbearable," commented one person.
Cuba's cockfighting tradition dates back to 1737. The Penal Code outlaws prohibited games under Article 251, with penalties ranging from one to four years for organizers and three to nine months or fines for participants.
In January 2021, police confiscated 423,000 pesos and 58 fighting cocks from a citizen in a similar case.
The BAC-Habana organization denounced in November 2025 that cockfights in Cuba are not clandestine but rather sanctioned by the regime through ALCONA S.A. Shortly thereafter, the Cuban bank froze the organization's account.
The reaction of Cubans to the operation in Herradura was resolute: "They broke that one, we'll make five more. This is what we truly enjoy."
Understanding Cuba's Cockfighting Controversy
What is the legal status of cockfighting in Cuba?
Cockfighting is technically prohibited under Cuban animal welfare laws, but exceptions are made for fights authorized by the competent authority, allowing state-run rings to operate legally.
Why do Cubans criticize the state's approach to cockfighting?
Cubans criticize the state for its double standards, as the regime legally operates cockfighting rings while cracking down on illegal ones, leading to accusations of hypocrisy and corruption.
How does cockfighting serve as entertainment in Cuba?
In areas facing economic hardships and power outages, cockfighting provides a rare form of entertainment and social gathering for many Cubans.