A young Cuban mother of two was tragically murdered by her partner in Havana, marking the first femicide of July and bringing the total number of such cases in Cuba to 38 this year, according to a confirmation by the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) on Monday.
Dayana Borges, aged 26, was killed by her partner, who was also the father of her young children, at their shared residence located at the intersection of Campanario and Salud in Central Havana on July 1st, as reported by OGAT in a press release.
The observatory highlighted that the perpetrator had a history of extreme abuse towards Dayana and previous partners, and after committing the crime, he took his own life.
Originally from the Santa Amalia neighborhood in Arroyo Naranjo, Dayana leaves behind two children who are now orphaned.
OGAT raised concerns about the increasing presence of illicit drugs in these cases, noting a link to rising violence in the country, particularly femicidal violence, amidst growing substance abuse among young Cubans.
The crime-reporting platform Nio revealed the assailant's identity as Yusuan Marrero, aged 32, and noted that the children were witnesses to the murder.
Witnesses reported that Marrero was under the influence of a drug commonly referred to as "the chemical" at the time he killed Dayana, according to details shared on the platform.
OGAT urged the need for specialized care for the children who witnessed their mother's assault and recognized the neighbors who took care of them in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Cuban authorities have not released any official information regarding the case, a recurring issue in such crimes across the nation.
“They are killing us,” OGAT warned in its Monday statement.
The 38 femicides recorded within just six months is more than double the 18 cases documented in the same timeframe in 2025. As of July 6th, OGAT has also tracked 19 attempted femicides and two murders of men linked to gender-based violence.
The observatory continues to investigate 12 potential femicides, five attempted cases, and one male murder from 2025, along with 10 possible femicides and three attempts flagged in 2026. The case of teenager Anais Tamayo Puente remains under scrutiny, pending access to the investigation report to determine if her death was a femicide.
Dayana Borges's tragic death came just days after two similar crimes shook the province of Sancti Spíritus within a week. In the case of Lidianni Luis González, OGAT criticized the "negligent conduct of the police," as the victim had previously reported her aggressor without receiving protection.
From 2019 to June 2026, independent observatories OGAT and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC) have documented 350 femicides in Cuba. The year 2023 saw a historic peak with 90 cases.
Cuba's legal framework fails to protect women effectively: the country lacks comprehensive legislation against gender-based violence and institutional shelters for those at risk. The current Penal Code does not recognize femicide as an independent crime—it is merely considered an aggravating factor of homicide. In 2022, the National Assembly rejected a proposal to include femicide in the new Penal Code.
Understanding the Femicide Crisis in Cuba
What is the current state of femicide in Cuba?
As of 2026, Cuba has recorded 38 femicides, significantly higher than the previous year, highlighting a severe issue with gender-based violence.
How do drugs contribute to the violence in Cuba?
Illicit drug use is increasingly linked to violence in Cuba, particularly femicidal violence, as substance abuse among young people grows.
What are the legal protections for women in Cuba?
Cuba lacks comprehensive legal protections for women, as there is no standalone law against gender-based violence, and femicide is not recognized as a separate crime.