New details about the violent assault on former Cuban pitcher Maikel Hidalgo Reyes

New details about the violent assault and attempted murder suffered by former Cuban pitcher Maikel Hidalgo Reyes were revealed this Sunday by journalist Yasel Porto, who is based in the United States.

Porto, who in a previous post revealed the tragic incident involving this former athlete, which nearly cost him his life, has now provided additional details that give context to the event.

According to information posted on their Facebook page "DPorto Sports LLC," Hidalgo Reyes is currently at home in San Miguel del Padrón, recovering from the injuries that put his life in danger.

The incident occurred in Guanabo, specifically at the well-known "caballitos," when the former baseball player was attacked by three individuals while carrying out a work task.

The attackers attempted to steal money and personal belongings, and while resisting, Hidalgo was stabbed multiple times.

After the attack, he was taken to Calixto García Hospital, where he received emergency medical care. After several days of treatment, he was discharged to continue his recovery at home.

Porto emphasized that Hidalgo expressed gratitude for the support of many people, including former teammates who were concerned about his well-being and offered their assistance.

Having retired from the National Series a decade ago, Hidalgo had a distinguished career as a reliever for Metropolitanos, Matanzas, and Holguín.

The journalist also reflected on the rise in violence in Cuba, pointing out that many assaults, both fatal and non-fatal, go unpunished, which raises concern among the population.

Fortunately, in this case, Hidalgo managed to survive the attack, although he is facing a complex process of physical and emotional recovery.

Porto himself, while reporting the incident, shared photos of the athlete in the hospital.

The images show that Maikel has a large wound with several stitches on the front of his abdomen, in addition to bandages on his right side, hip, knee, and arm.

In recent years, Cuba has seen a significant increase in violence related to thefts and other crimes, raising concerns among citizens and authorities.

According to a report by the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Auditing (OCAC), 432 crimes were recorded during the first half of 2024, including 91 homicides and 260 robberies, representing a 152% increase in the crime rate compared to the same period the previous year.

The Cuban government has acknowledged this increase. In June 2024, Colonel Eddy Sierra Arias, head of the General Directorate of the Revolutionary National Police, admitted to a rise in criminal violence, including the use of firearms, attributing it to factors such as smuggling, drug trafficking, and the deterioration of ethical values.

Despite these admissions, there is a discrepancy between official statistics and public perception. In October of this year, the government claimed that crime had decreased compared to the previous year; however, it acknowledged that the population does not perceive this improvement, particularly in provinces such as Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Ciego de Ávila, Cienfuegos, and Sancti Spíritus, where the highest crime rates are reported.

The lack of transparency in the dissemination of official data has led citizens to turn to social media to report criminal activities, increasing the visibility of these incidents and fostering a greater sense of insecurity. A survey conducted by Bohemia magazine revealed that 92.39% of respondents perceive a significant rise in violence in the country.

In response, the Ministry of the Interior has announced measures to combat crime, emphasizing the need to safeguard public safety. However, the effectiveness of these actions remains under scrutiny by the population, which continues to confront a reality characterized by an increase in violent thefts and other criminal acts.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Assault and Recovery of Maikel Hidalgo Reyes