Didiannys Barreto Palmero, a 34-year-old woman, fell victim to a brutal act of violence on September 25 in Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila. Her life was taken by her ex-partner, leaving two young daughters, aged around seven and three, without their mother.
The tragic incident was confirmed by the feminist observatory Alas Tensas this Monday. According to reports from independent journalist Niover Licea of the platform NiO Reporting a Crime, and family sources in the area, the alleged perpetrator was Aliex Rosabales Báez, aged 43, who reportedly had a criminal history. Didiannys had recently ended their relationship.
The victim’s body was found around 9:00 PM in a farm area of Ceballos 5. Witnesses describe horrific injuries, including multiple stab wounds and a severe neck injury.
Rosabales Báez, who was not the father of the children, took his own life following the murder.
A friend of the victim shared on social media: "Rest in peace, Didi. She was an excellent colleague. We deeply mourn her loss at the Pedagogical School of Morón where she worked."
Adding to the heartbreak, the murder occurred on Didiannys's mother's birthday, a day meant for celebration.
Activists have raised concerns that this femicide might not be recorded in the official statistics of the state's Observatory for Gender Equality in Cuba (OCIG), which only includes cases that have been legally processed, omitting those where the perpetrator dies before trial.
This methodological oversight is a frequent criticism. Alas Tensas, which uses broader criteria, reports 54 femicides so far this year, alongside 27 attempted femicides.
The crime took place just six days after the murder of Yusinay Capetillo Martínez, a 41-year-old woman strangled by her ex-son-in-law during a blackout in the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana.
A disturbing pattern emerges: an ex-partner kills his former lover after a breakup and then commits suicide. This is one of the most documented patterns among femicides in Cuba in 2026, with Alas Tensas recording 37 femicides in the first half of the year alone, compared to 18 in the same period of 2025, a staggering 112.5% increase.
The OCIG reported 49 gender-based murder trials in 2025, a decrease from 76 in 2024 and 60 in 2023. However, experts consulted by IPS Cuba caution that these figures largely reflect judicial delays and are mostly related to incidents from previous years.
Adding to the statistical opacity is a structural legal gap: femicide is not classified as a separate crime under the Cuban Penal Code effective since 2022. It is only considered an aggravating factor in homicide cases, and the National Assembly rejected an amendment to establish it as an independent criminal offense.
Alas Tensas is still working to verify other pending cases: Anais Tamayo Puente, Ana Vivian Suárez Cruz, and Bárbara Sánchez González.
Understanding Femicide and Legal Challenges in Cuba
What is the current legal status of femicide in Cuba?
Femicide is not recognized as a separate crime in Cuba’s Penal Code. It is classified as an aggravating circumstance in homicide cases, and efforts to introduce it as an independent offense have been rejected by the National Assembly.
How are femicide cases documented in Cuba?
Official statistics by the OCIG only include legally processed cases, excluding those where the aggressor dies before trial. Independent organizations like Alas Tensas use broader criteria, capturing a wider range of incidents.
What are the recent trends in femicide rates in Cuba?
The rate of femicides in Cuba has seen a significant increase, with 37 cases documented in the first half of 2026, compared to 18 in the same period of 2025, marking an alarming rise.