Cuban American Involved in Shooting Leaves Several Injured in Holguín Brawl

A man identified as Yaudier Aguilera Monert, described as a Cuban American connected to the Los Lazos neighborhood, was apprehended following a shooting at the "Los Hermanos" restaurant in Floro Pérez, Gibara municipality, Holguín province, during the early hours of Sunday, July 12.

The incident, initially reported by the independent platform 'Nio Reportando un Crimen' and later confirmed by the Facebook profile 'Cazador Cazado' —linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT)— resulted in at least three individuals being injured, including a minor who was taken to a pediatric hospital.

According to 'Cazador Cazado', which serves as a tactical spokesperson for the MININT in Holguín with a colloquial tone, the altercation began with a dispute between two acquaintances inside the venue. The security guard intervened to remove them from the premises and ended up being one of the primary victims.

At that moment, Aguilera Monert allegedly pulled out a revolver —apparently a Colt.38— and fired three shots, according to this official source. The independent platform 'Nio Reportando un Crimen' had initially reported approximately six shots, while Periódico Cubano mentioned about eight shots using a pellet gun; none of these figures have been officially confirmed.

The three injured individuals were identified as Luis Raidel Correoso, Alexander Espronceda, and Brayan Carlos Escalona. Correoso, employed as the establishment's security guard, sustained a neck wound and required surgery. According to testimonies collected by 'Nio Reportando un Crimen', he was out of danger but remained hospitalized.

Espronceda suffered pellet wounds and, after receiving medical care, had already returned home. Details about Escalona's condition were not provided in available reports. A minor present at the location during the incident was also affected and transported to a pediatric center, though their identity and the extent of their injuries were not disclosed.

A police officer residing opposite the establishment intervened during the confrontation and reportedly fired two warning shots into the air. Aguilera Monert attempted to flee toward a nearby banana plantation but was captured and taken into custody.

The confirmation of the suspect's name comes exclusively from 'Cazador Cazado', an officialist profile not equivalent to a formal MININT statement. On Facebook, a user identified as Yandier Aguilera (Yaudier Aguilera Monert) indicates residence in Miami and origin from Holguín.

Meanwhile, 'Nio Reportando un Crimen' cautioned that "some elements of the narrative disseminated by the officialist page contrast with versions received directly by our platform," and noted they were continuing to verify the sequence of events.

The case adds to a series of incidents involving Cuban Americans on the island. In April 2026, the repatriated Cuban American Leonel García Álvarez was murdered in Mayabeque at 72 years old after returning to Cuba for retirement. Previously, entrepreneur Frank Cuspinera Medina, founder of Diplomarket, was arrested in June 2024 and remained in preventive detention for over a year without a definitive trial. These cases highlight the risks faced by those returning to the island, whether as investors, tourists, or repatriates.

The use of a revolver in a public nightlife venue is unusual in Cuba, where civilian gun ownership is heavily restricted. The event also occurs amid a backdrop of increasing violence on the island, where thefts rose by 115% in 2025, according to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory.

As of Tuesday, the MININT had not released any official statement regarding the shooting, the final count of injured, or the formal charges the detainee would face.