A visually impaired man was attacked by a group of minors on Monday around 6:30 p.m. while he was sitting on a sidewalk near his home in Cárdenas, Matanzas, according to a report from a relative on social media.
Lázaro Corrales, the victim's nephew, informed the group on Facebook "Buying and Selling in CARDENAS" that the attackers, four teenagers, were chased by neighbors after hearing the victim's screams.
He mentioned that one of them was carrying a concealed knife in a shoulder bag, and although he tried to confront those who challenged him, he ultimately fled with the others down López and Cristina streets.
The relative lamented that, due to the age of the aggressors and current laws, effective legal action cannot be taken against them, despite the severity of the incident and the possession of a knife by one of the young men.
The complaint also highlights the insecurity experienced by the residents of the area, who lack protection even at their doorstep, whether during the day or at night.
Additionally, he pointed out that when trying to contact the police, there was no landline or mobile phone service available.
The complainant called on local authorities, including the police and neighborhood leaders, to take action, such as checking the documents and bags of these youth gangs carrying knives, and warned residents to avoid going out alone at night.
This incident reflects the growing concern for safety in Cárdenas, where citizens feel unprotected against such violent acts.
The increase in violence in Cuba, closely linked to the intensification of the economic crisis, is a phenomenon that the regime has acknowledged, but regarding which it has shown a limited capacity to respond.
One of the solutions that the citizens have had to implement is to take justice into their own hands. Recently, two alleged thieves were captured by the population of Santiago de Cuba.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared on his Facebook wall the videos of the individuals already detained by the public, who held them immobilized while waiting for the police to arrive.
Last week, residents of Havana detained a young man who was accused of robbing secondary school students on the street. The 18-year-old was reportedly using a knife to steal mobile phones from teenagers.
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