Cuban Migrants in Guyana Face Rising Violence, Warns Content Creator

David de Kitty, a Cuban content creator, has raised alarms about an escalating trend of robberies and violence targeting migrants in Guyana, with Cubans being particularly affected following a recent spate of attacks.

In a video shared on Facebook this Thursday, David recounted that over the weekend a Cuban was robbed of his electric bicycle, and another compatriot was stabbed while resisting a similar theft by a group of six men.

“While trying to steal an electric bike from a Cuban who resisted an assault by six individuals—or criminals, to call them what they are—he was stabbed,” David explained.

This incident was reported in the media, identifying the victim as a 49-year-old Cuban who was stabbed in the abdomen during the robbery in Georgetown.

David also mentioned that two other Cubans had arrived at the public hospital that same morning with facial injuries after being assaulted.

He clarified that this information was directly received by him and had not appeared in the press.

Challenges Faced by Cuban Migrants

Initially, David spoke about an overall rise in violence in Guyana but quickly revised his statement. According to him, while general crime might be declining in the country, migrants are increasingly vulnerable to certain crimes.

“I believe that due to the particular circumstances of the Cuban community here in Guyana, we’ve become a prime target for criminals, and there's a current wave of criminal activity against the migrant population, particularly Cubans,” he asserted.

David cited several factors that heighten the vulnerability of his compatriots. Many Cubans travel by foot, motorcycle, or electric bicycle, leaving them more exposed than those using cars. Additionally, he noted that because some in the Cuban community are not banked, they carry cash, making them attractive targets for thieves.

Barriers to Reporting Crime

Other obstacles include language barriers, victims' fears, and issues within the policing system, David added. He emphasized that his observations do not mean the entire Guyanese population is experiencing a similar crime surge but that the attacks are concentrated on the migrant community.

He advised against responding to assaults with violence. Citing the Cuban who was stabbed after resisting a robbery, David warned that confrontation could lead to even more severe consequences.

David acknowledged the lack of simple solutions but stressed the significance of reporting crimes to authorities to maintain a record of these incidents.

He shared that some Cubans inform him of their victimization but refuse to file reports, even asking him not to mention their names for fear of repercussions.

“Many Cubans call me: ‘Hey, look, this happened to me, it all happened.’ Will you file a report? ‘No, no, no, don’t even say my name online; it puts me in danger,’” he related.

Community Responses to Crime

To David, documenting these cases is crucial for authorities to identify potential crime patterns. “I see no other way to raise awareness among authorities than by filing reports so they can see the data and understand where crime is focusing in this country,” he stated.

David urged those living in Guyana to enhance their security measures as the migrant population becomes a focal point for criminal activity.

Comments on his video echoed his concerns, with individuals recounting similar experiences, although these accounts haven’t been independently verified.

One woman shared her predicament of leaving work at 9:30 p.m. every day and highlighted that many Cubans have similar schedules, forcing them to navigate the streets at night. “May God protect us,” she wrote.

Another user described an armed robbery targeting her husband and other Cubans in their rental home around 11 p.m.

Others shared stories of recent robberies, including one user whose acquaintance was assaulted and left several blocks away from the scene.

The discussion also revealed the fear among some Cubans of being defenseless against aggressors. Some advocated for self-protection, including carrying weapons for intimidation, while others suggested more extreme measures.

Preventive strategies were also suggested, such as not walking alone, using well-trafficked streets, reducing nighttime outings, traveling in groups, and reporting incidents to the police.

One user summed up the concern by saying, “We need to stick together to watch out for each other, never walk alone.”

Particularly worrisome is the situation of those who cannot avoid the streets due to work commitments. Many Cuban migrants work late shifts and must return home after dark.

This concern is not unfounded. In recent months, there have been several violent incidents involving Cubans as victims in Guyana.

In May, Cuban Dainier Vegas Infante, 23, was shot and killed at his workplace in Georgetown. The Guyanese police launched an investigation and later issued arrest warrants for several suspects connected to the crime.

Weeks earlier, a 19-year-old Cuban survived a severe stabbing in the head at a social gathering, requiring emergency surgery and resulting in neurological damage.

In December 2025, Ariel Betancourt Ramírez, 48, was fatally stabbed in Georgetown in what authorities investigated as a robbery. He was on his way to meet his wife when attacked in broad daylight.