Two Disturbing Femicide Cases Raise Cuba's Toll to 46 This Year

The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) reported on Sunday the confirmation of two additional femicides in Cuba, increasing the number of recorded cases this year to a total of 46.

The organization disclosed through its social media platforms that the victims were Adis Glennis Rodríguez Mulet, a 34-year-old woman who was seven months pregnant, and Ana Luisa Baños González, 46, also known as "La China." Both women were allegedly murdered by their respective partners.

OGAT expressed their sorrow over these incidents, emphasizing the persistent reporting of numerous cases despite the country's severe disconnection and power outages, which suggest that many other deaths remain undiscovered in the darkness caused by frequent blackouts.

Adis Glennis: A Tragic End Despite Seeking Help

Adis Glennis Rodríguez Mulet, affectionately referred to as "Adita," died on July 29 in Bayamo, Granma province, due to injuries inflicted by her partner. Having previously reported the abuse and sought protection, her pleas were not adequately addressed by authorities.

In an attempt to flee the violence, she had sought refuge with her family, but her aggressor found her there. She suffered a severe abdominopelvic contusion with splenic hilum tear and approximately two liters of hemoperitoneum, underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy, and succumbed to multiple organ failure. Tragically, her unborn child did not survive either, leaving behind a young son.

OGAT highlighted the systemic failures in protecting women from gender-based violence. "Adis had left the abusive environment and was in a safe space with her family when her attacker located her. Her femicide and the death of her unborn daughter were preventable," they stated.

This marks the second documented femicide of a pregnant woman in Cuba within a span of less than three weeks, following the murder of Yeni María Peñas Leyva, 23, on July 13 in Las Tunas, allegedly by her former partner.

Ana Luisa Baños González: A Life Cut Short

OGAT also records the femicide of Ana Luisa Baños González, who was murdered on July 14 in Paso Real de San Diego, Los Palacios municipality, Pinar del Río. The mother of three adult children was allegedly killed by her partner. OGAT had previously sought public assistance via social media to gather more details about this case, as the information is not publicly available.

Skyrocketing Violence Amidst a Lack of Protective Measures

These crimes occur in a distressing context of increasing violence. As of August 1, OGAT has recorded 46 femicides, 19 attempted femicides, and two murders of men linked to femicidal violence in Cuba during 2026. This represents a staggering 112% increase compared to the same period in 2025.

Since beginning its operations in 2019, the observatory has documented 359 femicides on the island. The pattern remains consistent: 83.3% of cases are committed by partners or ex-partners, 64.6% involve sharp weapons, and 62.5% occur in the victim's own home.

Cuba lacks a comprehensive law addressing gender-based violence. The 2022 Penal Code does not recognize femicide as an independent crime, and the National Assembly rejected an amendment to establish it as a separate legal category. There is no specific legislation on the agenda until 2028.

The country also does not have specialized shelters for women at risk. Following the closure of the Yo Sí Te Creo Observatory in Cuba in April 2026 due to resource constraints, OGAT remains the sole independent observatory actively monitoring this issue on the island.

OGAT concluded their report with a strong call to action, stating, "These preventable deaths highlight the urgent need for shelters in Cuba to protect women, their children, families, and the community at large. Confronted with a femicide threat, specialized protective structures are essential." They ended with a stark reminder: "They are killing us!"