In Cuba, more than 1,600 people have been sentenced for the slaughter of livestock and the sale of its meat.

A total of 1,615 Cuban citizens have been punished in 2024 for behaviors related to the illegal slaughter of livestock and the trafficking of its meat, reported the state-run newspaper Granma on Tuesday.

In a statement signed by Tomás Betancourt and Alina de Fátima Santana, both judges of the Supreme People's Court, it was reported that 90 percent of those tried received custodial sentences, with 78 percent of them facing penalties of up to 15 years.

Similarly, in accordance with the provisions of the Penal Code, the defendants accused of these crimes were also subjected to the seizure or confiscation of assets, as well as other ancillary penalties established by law, in consideration of the circumstances surrounding the case.

Likewise, in the cases where it was applicable, it was agreed that those deemed responsible would be required to compensate the affected parties for the damages incurred.

The text also indicates that on March 1 of this year, the exercise of control over land use and livestock ownership began, which aims to visit more than 80,000 livestock owners in the country, both individuals and businesses.

Based on the above, this research aims to organize the livestock population and achieve greater discipline in the fields, so that each producer understands their responsibilities as a breeder.

Until May, Las Tunas was the Cuban territory with the highest incidence of cattle theft and slaughter (cows and horses). In just the first four months of this year, there were 1,954 crimes registered related to the theft and slaughter of 3,480 heads of cattle and horses.

In June, it was reported that in just 24 hours, Guantánamo experienced 23 cases of theft and the slaughter of large livestock, according to provincial government reports.

The incidents reflect a sustained increase in this type of crime, adding to other thefts and social misconducts that impact both the population and the local economy.

The province of Holguín ended 2022 with over 4,500 livestock lost due to theft and slaughter, and by December 2023, this number had risen to 7,400.