Crime rates in Cuba increase in the first half of 2024.

The Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit (OCAC) published a report detailing the worrying increase in crime on the island during the first half of 2024.

Cuba Siglo 21 explained that the report is based on monitoring complaints on social media and in the media, because the regime keeps this data secret and only shares information occasionally and with questionable transparency.

In the first six months of 2024, 432 crimes were reported, which represents a daily average of 2.37 crimes, significantly surpassing the figures reported in the same period of 2023.

Among the crimes, 91 murders, 260 robberies, 39 assaults, 29 aggressions, and 13 cases classified as other crimes stand out.

These numbers show a significant increase, with a 152% rise in the crime rate compared to the first half of the previous year. The growth of 111% in homicides, 290% in assaults, and 208% in thefts is alarming.

The report reveals that the victims of these 432 crimes were 254 people, including 126 men, 98 women, and 22 minors.

In addition, damages were reported in 106 private properties and 33 state properties, reflecting the deep and widespread impact of crime on Cuban society.

The data presented by the OCAC also highlights that, out of the 564 identified offenders, 518 were men and 21 were women. There were 218 crimes committed by individuals acting alone, and 113 were perpetrated by groups, indicating an increasing organization and coordination among criminals.

The report highlights the seriousness of the security situation in Cuba, suggesting that the actual crime figures could be even higher due to censorship and the government's lack of transparency.

The OCAC points out that corruption and organized crime are deeply rooted in Cuban society, further exacerbating insecurity and violence.

The non-governmental organization criticized the response of the Cuban government, accusing the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) of creating a "parallel virtual reality" to minimize public perception of insecurity and control the official narrative.

The OCAC report paints a bleak picture of security in Cuba, showing a significant increase in crime and violence in the country, which goes hand in hand with the rise in poverty, the accumulation of garbage in the streets, and the scarcity of food and essential goods that the people are facing.