In a brazen act of theft, doors, windows, and chairs were stolen from the "Victoria de Girón" Medical Sciences Faculty, a renowned institution for medical education in Cuba, located in the Cubanacán area of Playa, Havana. Last Monday, the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) held a public ceremony to return the recovered items to this esteemed branch of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana.
The ceremony was overseen by Colonel Juan Carlos González Mederos, head of the PNR in Playa municipality, with Dean Adina Pérez and Rector Yoandra Muro accepting the returned property on behalf of the faculty.
Three PNR officers were publicly commended for their role in solving the case: Captains Delvis Enrique Bequer, Eliécer Castellanos Nieves, and Yoelsis Griñán Maceo.
The event was publicized via the Facebook page "Héroes de Azul en Cuba," a channel associated with the PNR and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), celebrating the officers' "commitment, efficiency, and honorable service to the people."
Details such as the exact date of the theft, the number of items stolen, their economic value, and whether any arrests were made remain unspecified by the sources.
The Alarming State of Cuba's Public Institutions
That such a prominent institution was stripped of fundamental items like doors, windows, and chairs starkly highlights the severe material decline plaguing Cuba. Thefts from state entities—universities, hospitals, energy facilities—have surged in recent years, directly attributed to the economic collapse under 67 years of communist dictatorship.
An April 2026 report documented 1,536 theft cases in 2025, marking an alarming 479% increase compared to 2023. Similar thefts were reported in October at Villa Clara's University of Medical Sciences, with four incidents resolved and three arrests made. In Guantánamo, multiple state facilities, including solar panels, university mattresses, and fuel from a clinic, were also targeted.
Propaganda Through Restitution Ceremonies
Parallel to this rise in crime, the PNR and MININT have turned these restitution events into a standard format for institutional propaganda, disseminated through social media, state-controlled press, and television over recent years. This practice gained momentum in 2020, when the regime, led by Miguel Díaz-Canel, began broadcasting police operations. Although the frequency of these broadcasts has waned, related content continues to be shared by profiles linked to the regime's propaganda machine. Across Cuba, this pattern is evident: uniformed officers, speeches, and accolades for presenting routine operations as major police triumphs.
Understanding the Context of Thefts in Cuba
Why are thefts in public institutions increasing in Cuba?
The rise in thefts at public institutions in Cuba is largely due to the severe economic crisis, exacerbated by decades of communist rule, which has led to widespread material shortages and financial desperation.
What role does the PNR play in addressing these thefts?
The Revolutionary National Police (PNR) is responsible for investigating and resolving thefts, often holding public ceremonies to return recovered items as part of their efforts to portray efficiency and commitment to public service.
How are these restitution ceremonies used by the Cuban regime?
Restitution ceremonies are used as propaganda tools by the Cuban regime to showcase the effectiveness of law enforcement and bolster the image of the government, despite ongoing economic struggles.