Yusinay Capetillo Martínez, aged 41, was tragically killed on September 19 in her home located in Santos Suárez, within the Diez de Octubre municipality of Havana. This incident marks the 53rd documented femicide in Cuba this year.
The Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas (OGAT) reported that the main suspect is the victim's former son-in-law. He allegedly attacked her inside her residence during one of the frequent power outages plaguing the country.
When OGAT released its statement, the assailant remained at large, several days post-incident, with no confirmation from authorities regarding his capture.
"Recent reports indicated that the suspect was still evading arrest days after the crime, adding to the year's complaints from victims' families about significant delays in apprehending suspected femicide perpetrators," the organization warned.
This case is categorized as a familial femicide. Yusinay leaves behind three adult daughters.
Alas Tensas also highlighted the potential danger facing the victim’s daughter and granddaughter, who have ties to the alleged attacker: "We are focusing on the situation of Yusy's daughter and granddaughter linked to the suspect, who could be at risk until his arrest is confirmed."
The trend of perpetrators remaining fugitives for extended periods continues. The 52nd femicide in Cuba was that of Noemí Pérez López, 38, murdered in Las Tunas on August 8. Her killer was not apprehended until September 5, nearly a month later.
The number of confirmed cases in 2026 has already surpassed the total for 2025, which was 49, and this is before the end of September.
According to OGAT's semi-annual report, from January to August, 49 femicides were documented, averaging one every five days. As of September 23, there were also 27 attempted femicides and two murders of men in contexts of femicidal violence.
The year 2026 is shaping up to be the second deadliest since OGAT started tracking cases in 2019. Only 2023 recorded a higher number, with 90 femicides. Between 2019 and September 2026, the total number of documented cases exceeds 368.
The Cuban regime asserted in April that “there is and will be no impunity” in the face of gender violence, citing a "solid legal framework," yet it has not published its own statistics on the issue. Cuba's 2022 Penal Code does not recognize femicide as a standalone crime—it is only considered an aggravating factor in homicide—and lacks comprehensive gender violence legislation.
Understanding the Rise in Femicide Cases in Cuba
What is the significance of the femicide statistics in Cuba for 2026?
The statistics for 2026 are alarming as they have already surpassed the total cases of 2025, indicating a troubling escalation in femicide occurrences. This suggests a need for urgent intervention and effective measures to combat gender-based violence in Cuba.
How does Cuba's legal system address femicide?
Cuba's legal system does not classify femicide as a separate crime. Instead, it is considered an aggravating circumstance in homicide cases, and there is no comprehensive law specifically targeting gender violence.
Why are perpetrators often at large for extended periods?
The delay in capturing suspects is often due to systemic inefficiencies and possibly a lack of urgency or resources dedicated to resolving these cases promptly. This issue has been a recurring concern highlighted by victims' families and organizations like OGAT.