A man with a history in the Ministry of the Interior's special forces met a violent end this past Wednesday near the intersection of Martí Promenade and Calvario Street in Santiago de Cuba, as reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The deceased has been identified as Reinier Enrique Brown Ramos, known by some as "Monona."
A witness described walking along Martí Promenade when a loud bang caught his attention, prompting people to flee the scene. Upon reaching the corner of Calvario, he found Brown lying on the street while two individuals casually walked away, one wearing a helmet. The witness noted, "cars were unwilling to stop to take him to the hospital."
Acquaintances of Brown claim he was once part of the Black Berets, the colloquial name for the National Special Brigade (BEN), the special forces of the Ministry of the Interior in Santiago de Cuba. In July 2021, the BEN was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department under the Global Magnitsky Act for its role in suppressing the 11J protests.
According to those same sources, Brown's career eventually spiraled into criminal activities. Journalist Mayeta Labrada summarized, "A man trained by the very system to enforce order ended up, according to these accounts, on the wrong side of the law."
Unverified sources have attributed multiple prison sentences to Brown, including allegations of violent crimes, suspected child abuse, and possible involvement in the drug trade. However, none of these claims have been independently confirmed. A former classmate from Camilo Cienfuegos Secondary School estimates his age to be around 42 or 43, though this too is unverified.
There are reports suggesting Brown was released from prison just over a year ago on medical grounds, yet documentation to support this is lacking.
Social media reactions paint a divided picture. Some acquaintances expressed disbelief and mourning with comments like "I can't believe it, brother," "Rest in peace, champ," or "We were just together hours ago." Others referenced past conflicts, asserting that many young people feared him. A friend mentioned working with him just the morning before.
As of publication, Cuban authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the incident, nor have they confirmed the identities of the alleged assailants or the motive behind the attack.
This crime occurs amidst a worsening security situation in the province. So far in 2026, Santiago has seen several homicides: a 62-year-old man was stabbed during the robbery of his electric tricycle on Las Américas Avenue, a 23-year-old was murdered in San Luis the same month, and there have been reports of systematic nighttime assaults in various neighborhoods.
The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory documented 2,833 verified crimes in Cuba during 2025, with Santiago ranking as the fourth most affected province, accounting for 323 cases.
"No criminal record, personal conflict, or past behavior warrants taking a human life," wrote Mayeta Labrada. "In a society where violence continues to claim lives, justice cannot be left to those who choose to settle scores in the streets."
Understanding the Crime in Santiago de Cuba
Who was Reinier Enrique Brown Ramos?
Reinier Enrique Brown Ramos, also known as "Monona," was a former member of the Ministry of the Interior's special forces, known as the Black Berets, in Santiago de Cuba.
What happened during the violent attack?
Witnesses reported hearing a loud bang and seeing Brown lying on the street while two individuals walked away. Vehicles reportedly refused to stop and help take him to the hospital.
How has the crime rate in Santiago de Cuba changed recently?
Santiago de Cuba has experienced a rise in crime, with multiple homicides and systematic assaults reported in 2026, reflecting a broader security deterioration in the province.
What is the status of the investigation?
As of now, no official statements have been released by Cuban authorities regarding the identities of the suspects or the motive for the attack.