The Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audit (OCAC) has reported a significant rise in murders in Cuba, with numbers climbing from 63 to 90 between January and June. This marks a 42.9% increase compared to the same timeframe in 2025. Fatalities have also surged from 69 to 102, representing a 47.8% rise.
On September 22, this independent organization released its Public Insecurity Report for the first half of 2026. The report notes a 25.3% decrease in the overall number of documented crimes, from 1,319 in the first half of 2025 to 985 in the same period of 2026. However, this statistic alone does not indicate an actual improvement in the nation's safety.
"While this figure might seem like progress, the decline is misleading due to severe restrictions on reporting from Cuba during this period. It does not signify that Cuba is now a safer country," the OCAC clarifies.
According to the OCAC, ongoing power outages and the deterioration of the information ecosystem hinder many events from becoming public knowledge and being documented.
Alarming Increase in Crime Severity
The most striking revelation from the report is the lethality rate. In the first half of 2025, there were 5.23 deaths for every 100 reported crimes. This number rose to 10.35 in the same period of 2026.
"In just one year, the lethality of documented crime increased by 97.9%, nearly doubling," the OCAC concludes.
Violence also intensified within the semester itself. Murders increased from 36 in the first quarter to 54 in the second, a 50% jump.
Monthly Homicide Spikes
April, May, and June reported 19, 17, and 18 murders respectively. Each of these months exceeded the highest monthly count of the first half of 2025, which was 13 in March.
The trend continued beyond June. Cubalex documented 37 homicides in July and 52 in August, the latter setting a new monthly record since the organization began monitoring in 2024.
Impact on Vulnerable Groups
The most vulnerable groups are experiencing the sharpest increases. The number of deceased women rose from 24 to 37 (+54.2%), seniors from six to nine (+50%), and minors saw the largest proportional increase from three to eight victims, a 166.7% rise.
Femicides documented by the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) skyrocketed from 16 to 37, more than doubling. By September 14, the annual total had already surpassed 52 femicides, exceeding the 49 recorded for the entire year of 2025.
Matanzas: The Epicenter of Violence
Matanzas has emerged as the epicenter of violence, leading provincial rankings with 18 murder cases. It also tops assault statistics with 21 cases. Together with Granma, these provinces account for 50.8% of all documented robberies in the country: 301 out of the 592 recorded.
A troubling trend is the theft from the electrical system. Over 460 criminal investigations were initiated between 2025 and the first half of 2026, with more than 300 involving the theft of dielectric oil from transformers, a crime that directly exacerbates power outages, leaving entire communities without electricity for weeks.
The OCAC emphasizes that its statistics represent an undercount, as they only include events that manage to become public. The paradox of the report is summed up with a single comparison: "Although 334 fewer crimes were documented in 2026 than during the same period in 2025, there were 33 more fatalities."
Key Insights into Rising Crime in Cuba
What is the main reason behind the rising crime rate in Cuba?
The increase in crime is attributed to factors such as prolonged power outages and a deteriorating information ecosystem, which hinder the documentation and public awareness of criminal activities.
Which area in Cuba is currently most affected by violence?
Matanzas has become the most affected area, leading the provincial rankings in both murder cases and assaults.
How have vulnerable groups been impacted by the increase in crime?
Vulnerable groups such as women, seniors, and minors have experienced significant increases in fatalities, with minors seeing the largest proportional rise.
What is the significance of the lethality rate increase in Cuba?
The lethality rate indicates the severity of crimes, and its near doubling suggests that crimes are becoming more deadly, with a significant increase in fatalities per reported crime.