Activists confirm two new femicides in Cuba

As of February 5, seven femicides have been recorded in Cuba and one case that requires access to police investigation.

| 05/02/2024 - 5:20pm (GMT-5)

Cargando — Ambulance in Cuba (Reference image) Photo © Periódico 26 / Reynaldo López Peña

Ambulancia en Cuba (Imagen de referencia) © Periódico 26 / Reynaldo López Peña — Ambulance in Cuba (Reference image) Photo © Periódico 26 / Reynaldo López Peña

Independent feminist activists confirmed this Monday two new femicides in Cuba, both of women from Camagüey, the province with the most verified cases so far this year.

The Gender Observatory of the magazine Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed the feminicide of the psychologist and local coordinator of the TransCuba Network Helen García Artelles, who died at the hands of her partner on February 2 at the address where they lived.

The group denounced the different forms of transphobia that occurred after Helen's death, such as delays in police and morgue processing.

"In the methodology followed by OGAT and YSTCC, trans people are part of those who suffer femicidal violence, which are highlighted with terms such as transfeminicide or trans woman feminicide, due to the greater vulnerabilities of this group and to denounce the specific characteristics of transmisogyny. "he clarified.

Alas Tensas also included the feminicide of Dianny Caballero González, 23 years old, committed on January 31 In the Habana.

The young woman was stabbed on a Havana street, in the San Miguel del Padrón municipality, presumably by his partner.

Dianny lived with him and his three-year-old daughter from a previous marriage.. Both were traveling to Havana to look for merchandise to sell in their place of residence.

Until this February 5, Alas Tensas and the YoSíTeCreo platform in Cuba (YSTCC) seven femicides are recorded and a case that needs access to the police investigation.

In 2023, both groups confirmed 88 femicides, nine attempted feminicides, two gender-related murders and six cases that need access to police investigation.

However, the official figures are worse. The Attorney General of the Republic, Yamila Peña Ojeda, revealed that from January to October of last year, 117 incidents of violent death of women occurred.

Until now figures for November and December have not been reported.

The authorities' record exceeds the number of violent deaths of women recorded by independent civil society feminist organizations in Cuba, dedicated to the care of women and the protection of their rights.