The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) has reported another tragic incident of femicide in Cuba, marking the 42nd case this year.
Yeni María Peñas Leyva, a 23-year-old pregnant woman, was fatally attacked by her former partner on the night of July 13th outside her home in La Fabela, a suburban area of Las Tunas municipality.
The observatory highlighted the fact that the victim was expecting a child at the time of this horrific act. She leaves behind a young daughter and son.
A Grim Reality Highlighted by the Observatory
The OGAT encapsulated the ongoing crisis with a powerful statement: "They're killing us." The organization detailed that Yeni María was assaulted right in front of her residence and was rushed to a hospital where she eventually succumbed to her injuries. They expressed condolences to her children, family, and colleagues, who mourned her loss on social media.
The observatory also issued a public plea: "We ask for the public's assistance in gathering more information about this tragic event for documentation purposes," emphasizing that "reporting these crimes is not a crime."
Unverified Details and Local Concerns
The independent platform NiO Reporting a Crime, spearheaded by crime reporter Niover Licea, provided additional unverified details not officially confirmed by the OGAT. According to this source, Yeni María suffered a stabbing wound to the chest, causing severe lung injuries, massive bleeding, and hemothorax, and despite emergency medical efforts, died in intensive care.
NiO identified the alleged perpetrator as José Luis Tamayo, who remains at large. Unverified local sources suggested that the suspect escaped police custody, prompting an overnight manhunt, even near the cemetery where the young woman was laid to rest.
The platform clarified, "These reports are still being verified and have not been officially confirmed by authorities."
A Disturbing Trend of Violence in July
This incident is the fifth confirmed femicide in Cuba during July alone. In a short span of two weeks, other victims include:
- Dayana Borges (26) in Central Havana.
- Yolexis Virgen Arias Oroceno (54) in Camagüey.
- Yunierkis Gómez Lozano (43) in Cumanayagua, Cienfuegos.
- Yesneidy López Hernández (39) in Güines, Mayabeque.
As of July 15, OGAT has confirmed a total of 42 femicides, 19 attempted femicides, and two murders of men due to gender-based violence in 2026, a dramatic 112.5% increase from 18 cases during the same period in 2025.
The observatory is also investigating 11 potential femicides and four attempted cases this year, which remain unverified.
Las Tunas has seen at least four femicides in 2026, including the case of 14-year-old Katherine Cruz Aguilera, confirmed in March.
Since 2019, independent observatories have documented 350 femicides in Cuba, with a record high of 90 cases in 2023. The Cuban regime does not release official gender violence statistics, and femicide is not recognized as a standalone crime in the current Penal Code, only as an aggravating factor for homicide.
Understanding Femicide in Cuba
What is the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory?
The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory is an organization dedicated to monitoring and reporting on gender-based violence and femicide cases in Cuba.
How many femicides have been reported in Cuba in 2026?
As of mid-July 2026, 42 femicides have been confirmed in Cuba, demonstrating a significant increase from the previous year.
Is femicide recognized as a crime in Cuba?
No, femicide is not specifically recognized as a separate crime in Cuba's Penal Code; it is only considered an aggravating factor in cases of homicide.