A Cuban farmer named Julián, residing in the Jarahueca district within Songo-La Maya, Santiago de Cuba, publicly reported being the victim of a brutal armed robbery. His firsthand account was shared in a video on Facebook.
According to Julián, the ordeal began just after midnight at 12:08 AM when several armed men, wielding a gun and stones, invaded his property. "Last night at 12:08, they attacked me with a gun and stoned me, hitting my leg," he recounted.
The initial attack wasn't carried out alone; Julián mentioned that a neighbor present in his house at the time aided the assailants.
At 1:17 AM, the attackers returned in greater numbers. "At one seventeen, they came back, more than three of them, and bombarded us with stones, killing our dogs," Julián described, noting the brutal killing of his dog before his eyes.
The community's swift response prevented the thieves from stealing his livestock. A neighbor with Julián raised the alarm, prompting others to arrive just in time to thwart the theft.
Julián's four animals, including a team of oxen, were vital for the area's agricultural work. He generously lent them to neighbors without charge, also using them to transport water and debris from the Reinaldo Obró clinic.
Faced with persistent threats, Julián announced he must sell his animals and leave. "Today, with great sorrow, I must leave my home and try to sell my animals because bad men attack our home," he stated.
He emphasized his situation is not unique: "It's not just my case; all my neighbors have been targeted. There's no livestock left for work, and sadly, we have to abandon the land."
The incident is part of a troubling trend in the area, marked by a series of violent rural crimes in recent months. Farmer Osvaldo Carbonel was murdered on May 2, 2026, in the neighboring Segundo Frente municipality after retrieving his stolen oxen; the attackers returned days later, killing him violently.
In August 2025, four individuals were arrested in Songo-La Maya for killing a neighbor during an animal robbery in Quintoque, and in July of the same year, another farmer was hacked to death in El Manguito within the same municipality.
Nationally, the situation is equally alarming. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory recorded at least 193 thefts related to cattle rustling and slaughter between January and June 2025, while Las Tunas reported nearly 2,000 crimes against livestock in the first four months of 2024.
Julián concluded his testimony with a direct appeal to the authorities: "We're living under the law of the jungle. I ask all the people and those it touches at heart to urge the rulers to change their laws so that farmers can sleep peacefully and work in peace again."
Understanding the Rise of Rural Crime in Cuba
What happened to farmer Julián in Songo-La Maya?
Julián, a farmer in Songo-La Maya, was targeted in a violent armed robbery where assailants attacked his property with a gun and stones. They killed his dog and attempted to steal his livestock.
How did the local community respond to the attack on Julián?
The local community intervened by raising the alarm, which prevented the thieves from stealing Julián's livestock. Their timely response was crucial in thwarting the robbery.
Is rural crime a widespread issue in Cuba?
Yes, rural crime is a significant issue in Cuba. There have been numerous incidents of theft and violence against farmers, with reports of hundreds of cases in recent years.