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Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada identified the woman who suffered a brutal attack this Thursday in Santiago de Cuba, where a man, presumably with mental health issues, cut her face in broad daylight.
The victim's name is Yeli Iglesias Ramírez, a mother who practices the Christian faith, a former social worker, and currently a vendor at the café known as La Maltera, in her neighborhood of Artes y Oficios.
She was attacked at her workplace, and according to a neighbor in the area, the wound was so deep that "you could even see the molars."
Many describe the aggressor as a manipulative person who hides behind his mental disorder and vices to always get his way.
A relative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Mayeta Labrada that he does not justify his criminal act and admitted to using drugs.
"This is not his first crisis; he has been hospitalized more than four times due to drugs and becomes aggressive even with his family. He just fell into this situation; we called an ambulance, and they took him away. The next day, they brought him back, saying there were no beds available, knowing what kind of patient he is, because he has been admitted to Jagua several times, and they know he deteriorates quickly," he detailed.
The journalist mentioned that he knows Iglesias Ramírez from the time they worked together as social workers in the city of Santiago. He described her as a "fighting mother and Christian, former social worker, and a beautiful woman," and asked his followers to update him on her health status.
IDENTIFYING THE AUTHOR OF THE ASSAULT
Following the publication of this report, the assailant of Yerlanis Iglesias Ramírez was identified, and she was taken to a hospital.
It is about Vladimir Andreu Fernández, known as "Chepín," who is 22 years old.
As Yosmany Mayeta explained on Facebook, he is a drug addict who has been admitted several times to the Gustavo Machín Psychiatric Hospital (Jagua). After his latest crisis, he was hospitalized. Later, he was sent back home, supposedly due to a lack of beds, which put the lives of neighbors and family members at risk, as they have previously suffered from attacks.
"He has no reason to do what he did, but we took him to get help and, knowing the doctors about his mental situation, they sent him back," his relative told the reporter.
"Let them do what is necessary with him, and if the solution is to keep him permanently incarcerated in the Psychiatric Hospital, that's fine, but in this country, there is nothing for those sick individuals," he emphasized.
MILITARIZED SCENE LOCATION
This afternoon, an ambulance, several police patrols, and a vehicle from the regime's special forces unit, known as the Black Berets, arrived at the scene. Their objective was to control the crowd in case anyone attempted to take justice into their own hands.
"The area is militarized," stated Yosmany Mayeta.
From the very beginning, witnesses to the bloody incident stated that the attacker is a psychiatric patient who was destabilized due to a lack of medication.
Several internet users commented that the victim and the attacker have no relationship whatsoever.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Aggression in Santiago de Cuba and the Situation of Violence in the Region
Who is the woman brutally assaulted in Santiago de Cuba?
The woman who was assaulted is Yeli Iglesias Ramírez, a Christian mother and former social worker, currently a seller in a local café. She was attacked in the Artes y Oficios neighborhood.
What is known about the assailant of Yeli Iglesias Ramírez?
So far, the identity of the assailant remains unknown, but they are described as a person with mental health issues and addiction problems. According to a family member, they have experienced several crises due to drug use.
How has the community responded to the increase in violence in Santiago de Cuba?
The community in Santiago de Cuba has voiced its concerns about the increasing violence and the shortage of medication for psychiatric patients. There is a strong sense of insecurity due to the authorities' ineffectiveness in managing these incidents.
What measures are the authorities in Cuba taking to address gender-based violence and other violent crimes?
Although femicide is not classified as a crime in the Cuban Penal Code, the government has established a national system for the registration and monitoring of gender-based violence. However, its effectiveness is questioned by feminist organizations due to the lack of concrete actions and the limited transparency in official statistics.
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