The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) has confirmed the tragic femicide of Idania Castillo Sacre, aged 58, which occurred on September 26 in Taco Taco, San Cristóbal municipality, Artemisa province. She was brutally murdered by her ex-partner, a man previously convicted of killing another woman.
According to OGAT's investigation, Idania was attacked while she was publicly sharing her faith as a Jehovah's Witness. The assailant forcibly took her to a residence where the crime took place. After committing the act, he attempted suicide unsuccessfully and was subsequently apprehended.
This incident is particularly shocking due to the history of the alleged perpetrator; he had previously served time for the 2010 murder of his children's mother. As reported by Niover Licea through the Observatory, the man was initially sentenced to 31 years in prison but was released after serving approximately 15 years.
Idania leaves behind three daughters and a son, all adults and with no familial ties to the perpetrator, along with grandchildren and other relatives.
Increasing Femicide Cases in Cuba
With this case, OGAT has documented 56 verified femicides in Cuba throughout 2026, as of this past Friday. This includes 27 attempted femicides and two murders of men in contexts of femicidal violence.
This is not the first instance of a crime being committed by a repeat offender on conditional release. In June 2024, Jessica Castillo, 32, was murdered in Pinar del Río by a man who had served only seven years of a 20-year sentence for the 2011 femicide of a teenager.
Idania's murder occurred just days after two other femicides were reported in September: Rachel García González, 27, a mother of four, was killed on September 28 in Vertientes, Camagüey, marking the 55th case, and Diddianys Barreto Palmero, 34, was murdered on September 25 in Ciego de Ávila.
The Urgent Need for Legal Reform
The alarming figure of 56 femicides so far this year has already surpassed the total count for 2025, which saw 49 cases, and matches the full tally for 2024. The year with the highest number of documented crimes by the Observatory was 2023, with 90 cases.
In 2026, the pattern of violence reveals that about 83.3% of femicides are committed by a partner or ex-partner, 64.6% involve a sharp weapon, and 62.5% occur within the victim's home or immediate surroundings, according to data collected by Infobae.
By early September, Cuba had already reached 50 verified femicides, surpassing the total for the entire previous year, highlighting a worrying acceleration throughout 2026.
The 2022 Cuban Penal Code does not classify femicide as an independent crime but rather as an aggravated circumstance of murder. Additionally, the country lacks a comprehensive law against gender violence and a national network of shelters for women at risk.
OGAT emphasizes the necessity of enacting a comprehensive law against violence towards women and girls, establishing a national network of shelters, and implementing effective protective measures for women at risk. They also call for specialized psychological evaluations and risk assessments of recidivism before granting parole to offenders with a history of violence.
Understanding Femicide in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding femicides in Cuba?
As of 2026, Cuba has reported 56 verified femicides, indicating a rise from previous years. This increase underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms and protective measures.
Why is legal reform necessary to address femicide in Cuba?
Cuba's current legal framework does not recognize femicide as a standalone crime, lacking comprehensive laws and resources to effectively protect women, highlighting the need for legal reform and support systems.