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Cuban platforms have confirmed two new femicides in the country, once again raising alarm about the serious gender violence crisis facing the Island.
According to the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas (OGAT) and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC), both cases were verified with community sources.
Alas Tensas detailed the events through their social media, where they also reminded the public that it is not a crime to publicly report femicides or express condolences on social media.
The first case pertains to Yiliannis Bueno Espinosa, 29 years old, who was murdered on December 11 in the settlement of El Sur, in Tercer Frente, Santiago de Cuba.
According to the report, her ex-partner took her life outside her home. Bueno Espinosa leaves behind two young girls.
The second case is that of Tania Liset Hidalgo Ávila, 51 years old, who was brutally murdered in her home in Bijarú, Báguanos, Holguín, on December 22.
In this case, the attacker was identified as an indebted gambler, and reports indicate that he attempted to flee after the crime but was apprehended.
According to the report, the brutality of the attack exceeds any motivation attributable to robbery.
Additionally, organizations reported alarming figures regarding women's deaths up to December 12, 2024, with 53 femicides recorded, six attempted femicides, and six cases requiring access to police investigation, as well as two homicides of men on gender-related grounds.
Currently, the observatories are investigating other cases in Las Tunas, Matanzas, Havana, and Santiago de Cuba.
The platforms emphasized the importance of using encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp or Messenger to make secure reports and reminded users of the ways to report femicides, such as through email and phone numbers.
The Cuban government has acknowledged gender-based violence, and according to official data, in 2023, 110 femicides and 378 cases of sexual violence were prosecuted.
However, femicide is not classified as a specific crime in the Penal Code effective since May 2022.
In July 2024, the Council of Ministers approved a national system for the registration, care, follow-up, and monitoring of violence against women, made up of 25 experts from the Ministry of the Interior and the People's Supreme Court.
This system aims to develop a computerized administrative registry to manage criminal processes related to these offenses.
Nevertheless, the absence of robust public policies and the lack of transparency in official statistics hinder the fight against this issue in the country.
Frequently Asked Questions About Femicide in Cuba
How many femicides have been recorded in Cuba in 2024?
As of December 12, 2024, 53 femicides have been reported in Cuba according to the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba. These platforms have also reported six attempted femicides and other cases that require police investigation. The lack of acknowledgment of femicide as a specific crime in the Cuban Penal Code complicates the collection of official statistics.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address gender-based violence?
In July 2024, the Council of Ministers of Cuba approved a national system for the registration, care, follow-up, and monitoring of violence against women, comprised of 25 experts from the Ministry of the Interior and the Supreme People's Court. However, femicide is not classified as a specific crime in the Penal Code in effect since May 2022, which limits the effectiveness of the measures adopted.
How can feminicides be reported in Cuba?
The feminist platforms Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo in Cuba recommend using encrypted messaging services like WhatsApp or Messenger to make safe reports. Femicides can also be reported via email and phone numbers. These platforms emphasize that it is not illegal to publicly report femicides or express condolences on social media.
What is the current situation of public policies against femicide in Cuba?
Despite the establishment of a national system to monitor gender-based violence, the lack of robust public policies and the absence of transparency in official statistics hinder effective action against femicide in Cuba. The classification of femicide as a crime is still not included in the Penal Code, which prevents the creation of an appropriate legal framework to address this issue.
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