The two stolen horses belonging to young acrobats Mayumi and Jennifer from Colón, Matanzas, have been successfully recovered after a determined two-day search effort.
The joyous news was shared by the Rodeo Cubano Facebook page, which sparked a wave of celebration across social media platforms. The horses had been stolen under the cover of darkness on Friday, August 21, in the Matanzas town, where the girls are active members of the equestrian community linked to the Colón Fair and Rodeo.
These horses were specially trained for acrobatic performances, making them invaluable not just economically, but also artistically and sentimentally.
"The girls' horses are back! They are safe and home again!" exclaimed Rodeo Cubano in their post, which quickly amassed over 265,000 views and nearly 10,500 likes in just a few hours.
The announcement praised the unwavering dedication of the Rodeo and Fair members of Colón, who tirelessly continued their search efforts.
"Through sun, rain, and nightfall, they remained relentless in their pursuit," read the message, also conveying the heartfelt thanks from the two girls to everyone who shared the alert and provided information.
Community Celebrates the Safe ReturnA follow-up post from Rodeo Cubano united the community in celebration: "After two harrowing days, they are back home, safe and sound. Today, the Colón Fair rejoices alongside Mayumi and Jennifer."
During the search, the same page had issued an urgent appeal to ranchers, riders, and enthusiasts throughout Cuba to locate the animals, offering an unspecified reward. The most poignant message of the campaign highlighted the importance of the mission: "Return their horses. Don't take away their dreams."
This incident is part of a documented trend of horse thefts in Cuba, exacerbated by the country's ongoing economic and food crises. Stolen horses are often secretly slaughtered for their meat to be sold on the black market as food supplies dwindle.
The municipality of Colón has seen recent similar incidents: in May 2025, a man was arrested there after attempting to steal a horse and assaulting its owner.
Despite the relief brought by the horses' recovery, Rodeo Cubano concluded their announcement with a powerful reflection extending beyond this particular case: "This shows what a community can achieve when united in spirit."
Key Questions about Horse Thefts in Cuba
What motivated the theft of the horses in Colón, Matanzas?
The theft was likely motivated by the significant economic value of horses, especially those trained for acrobatic performances. Additionally, the economic and food crisis in Cuba has led to an increase in horse thefts for meat sales on the black market.
How did the community contribute to the recovery of the horses?
The community played a crucial role by sharing alerts, providing information, and participating in the search. The collective effort of the Rodeo and Fair members, alongside the broader community, was instrumental in locating the horses.
What impact has the economic crisis in Cuba had on horse thefts?
The ongoing economic and food shortages in Cuba have led to an increase in horse thefts as people turn to the black market for meat supply, given the collapse of traditional food distribution channels.