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A woman residing in Artemisa, identified as Yaniset Serrano, was allegedly killed by her ex-partner, Eliudis Sabón, who is currently a fugitive from justice.
The activist Idelisa Diasniurka Salcedo Verdecia reported on her Facebook page that the victim was originally from Dos Caminos, in Santiago de Cuba, but had been living in San Antonio de los Baños for some time.
The crime occurred last Tuesday at 5:00 PM after several hours of torture and while the woman was heading to the police station.
"They had been separated for five months because he was always hitting her and his own 13-year-old daughter. The night before, he broke into the house, held a knife to her neck, and was forcing her to sleep with him. She told him she would report him, and the next day, while she was on her way to the police, he killed her," she explained.
Salcedo Verdecia reported that the alleged murderer, who is currently on the run, "now has also issued death threats against the best friend of the victim, named Elizabeth Larrea, as well as his own daughter, who are both under police protection."
Serrano had no children, and although he was from San Luis, he lived in El Borjita, in San Antonio de Los Baños, one of his nephews recounted.
He said she was a very loving aunt, to the point that many claimed she was the mother of her nephews because of the way she treated them.
The killer, who used a machete to take the woman's life, has been lurking around the area, neighbors reported.
Some saw him enter the yard of the house armed with a machete, and questioned the inaction of the police, who are not patrolling the area.
On January 8, independent feminist platforms confirmed the first femicide of 2025 on the island, following the murder of a Cuban mother living in Holguín, identified as Elizabeth (Lisi) Ramírez Fernández.
By December 19, the platforms had confirmed 55 femicides in 2024, eight attempted femicides, and six cases that still required access to the police investigation. Additionally, they reported two murders of men motivated by gender-related reasons.
The Cuban regime has acknowledged gender-based violence, and according to official data, in 2023, 110 femicides and 378 cases of sexual violence were prosecuted.
However, feminicide is not classified as a specific crime in the Criminal Code in effect since May 2022.
Frequently Asked Questions about Feminicide in Artemisa and Gender Violence in Cuba
Who was the victim of the feminicide in Artemisa and who is the suspect?
The victim was Yaniset Serrano, a resident of Artemisa, and the suspect is her ex-partner, Eliudis Sabón, who is on the run from justice. The crime occurred when she was heading to the police station after experiencing threats and abuse from the aggressor.
What is the background of gender-based violence in Cuba?
In Cuba, gender-based violence is an increasing problem. In 2024, 53 femicides have been recorded according to independent platforms, such as the Gender Observatory of the magazine Alas Tensas and YoSíTeCreo en Cuba. Despite these alarming figures, femicide is not classified as a crime in the Cuban Penal Code.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address gender-based violence?
The Cuban government has established a national system for the registration, attention, tracking, and monitoring of gender-based violence within the family environment. However, the effectiveness of this system has been questioned by feminist organizations, as femicide has not been classified as a crime and the terms "femicide" or "machismo crime" are not used.
What criticisms have been directed at the Cuban government regarding its handling of femicides?
The main criticisms focus on the lack of recognition of femicide as a specific crime and the insufficiency of concrete actions to protect women. Feminist organizations and civil society have denounced that the authorities do not respond effectively to early alerts, which could prevent many of these tragedies.
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