In the Fructuoso Rodríguez neighborhood of Cárdenas, locals took justice into their own hands by capturing and restraining a suspected thief on the fifth floor of building 19, near Las Brujitas and across from the Rent a Car, as reported by journalist Christian Arboláez on Facebook.
A photo from the incident shows a young man with visible tattoos on his arms and legs, sitting on the ground with his hands bound by rope, surrounded by standing neighbors.
"It was the neighbors themselves who managed to catch him, while authorities have yet to arrive," Arboláez noted.
A video taken shortly after captures the moment a police officer arrives at the scene, unties the individual, and takes him into custody as onlookers watch.
"What bothers me is that he's a young guy. Get a job, clean streets. I'm cleaning streets and I'm 60 years old," one bystander remarked.
This scenario is all too familiar in Cuba: citizens, frustrated by the lack of timely police response, take matters into their own hands to immobilize those who threaten them.
Rising Crime and Citizen Action
Back in October 2025, a man was arrested in Cárdenas after admitting to nine thefts in the municipality and having a record of theft and violent robbery.
In December of the same year, two masked individuals broke into a home in Boca de Camarioca, severely injuring a couple and stealing 135,000 Cuban pesos, $4,000, jewelry, and cell phones.
February saw a robbery of an energy station in broad daylight, sparking outrage on social media.
April reported an armed robbery at an ice cream factory, and in May, a man was murdered in his own home in the municipality.
Not Just a Cárdenas Issue
This pattern of "neighborhood justice" isn't unique to Cárdenas. In April, residents of Veguita de Galo in Santiago de Cuba subdued a young man wielding a machete before police arrived.
In May, neighbors in the Modelo neighborhood of Camagüey tied up a man caught trying to rob a residence. The common thread is a lack of faith in authorities arriving promptly.
Statistics support this skepticism. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) recorded 2,833 verified crimes in Cuba during 2025, marking a 115% increase from 2024 and a 337% rise compared to 2023.
The most frequent crime was theft, accounting for 1,536 cases. Matanzas, where Cárdenas is located, led the national crime rankings with 503 verified incidents.
In July 2025, the regime admitted that crime remained high and public dissatisfaction was palpable, though it insisted its figures showed a downward trend.
Independent sources pinpoint a structural issue: police resources are heavily focused on political repression while public safety deteriorates, with up to 20% of officers reportedly leaving the force in the past year.
This month, Cuban actor Luis Alberto García publicly warned about the rise in crime on the island, joining a chorus of voices the regime chooses to ignore. Meanwhile, in Cárdenas, it's the residents who continue to do the work that authorities fail to do.
The Increasing Crime Rate in Cuba: Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the residents of Cárdenas to take action?
The residents were frustrated by the delayed police response and decided to restrain the suspect themselves to prevent further crime.
How has crime changed in Cuba over recent years?
Crime in Cuba has escalated significantly, with a reported 115% increase in verified crimes in 2025 compared to the previous year.
What are some examples of recent crimes in Cárdenas?
Recent incidents include armed robberies, assaults, and even a murder within a private home, highlighting the increasing danger in the area.