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Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared new details about the murder of Yiliannis Bueno Espinoza, a mother of two girls from Santiago de Cuba, at the hands of her ex-partner.
According to Mayeta, although some people claimed that the 29-year-old woman never had a romantic relationship with her killer, nicknamed Laly, it has been confirmed that they did have a sentimental connection, even though her daughters are from a previous marriage.
"The killer was captured just yesterday, although many agree in saying he was a noble person with no legal issues or history of domestic violence," the reporter commented on his Facebook wall.
Neighbors and family members of the victim state that although the formal relationship between them had ended, Yiliannis did not want to completely cut off communication with Laly, as he would occasionally give her money.
"The murdered mother was already getting to know another man, although she was still in communication with her ex-partner, who presumably felt 'insecure' and decided to stab her premeditatedly," Mayeta detailed.
Yiliannis was murdered with a machete last Wednesday in the El Sur neighborhood, in the Tercer Frente municipality.
The young woman had taken her daughters to school, and upon returning, she was ambushed by the attacker, who stabbed her in the chest. When she tried to escape, he began to strangle her.
He passed away during the transfer to the local clinic due to the severity of the injury inflicted on his heart by the man.
The Gender Observatory of the magazine Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed on Thursday the femicide of Bueno and another woman in the province of Holguín, raising the total number of misogynistic violence crimes in Cuba to 53 for 2024, according to records from independent Cuban platforms.
Frequently asked questions about the femicide of Yiliannis Bueno Espinoza and gender-based violence in Cuba
Who was Yiliannis Bueno Espinoza and what was the reason for her assassination?
Yiliannis Bueno Espinoza was a 29-year-old young mother who was murdered by her ex-partner in Santiago de Cuba. The motive for the murder was the obsession and jealousy of her aggressor, nicknamed Laly, who premeditatedly attacked her with a machete. Although their relationship had ended, they kept in touch because he occasionally provided her with money.
What actions has the Cuban government taken in response to the increase in femicides in 2024?
Despite the increase in femicides, femicide is not defined as a specific crime in the Cuban Penal Code. However, the government has established a national system for registering, addressing, following up on, and monitoring gender-based violence within the family environment. This system, comprised of 25 experts, aims to manage the legal processes related to these crimes, although its effectiveness has been called into question by feminist organizations.
What is the number of femicides in Cuba in 2024 according to independent platforms?
As of December 12, 2024, there have been 53 femicides recorded in Cuba, according to the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba. Additionally, six attempts of femicide were reported, along with several cases that require police investigation. These figures reflect a serious crisis of gender-based violence on the island.
What criticisms have been directed at the government's handling of femicides in Cuba?
Criticism focuses on the lack of official recognition of femicide as a crime and the inadequacy of concrete actions to protect women. Feminist organizations and civil society have pointed out that authorities do not respond effectively to early alerts, which could prevent many of these tragedies. Additionally, the lack of transparency in official statistics makes it challenging to mount an appropriate response to the issue.
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