A man was captured Tuesday night by neighbors in the Pastorita neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba after allegedly snatching a phone from someone.
According to testimonies from residents, the individual was intercepted by a group of people who, outraged by the incident, beat him before handing him over to the police.
"Mayeta, we caught this man stealing a phone and you know 'the lesson' we gave him... We don't want thieves around here, and we made that very clear.", stated a neighbor in comments sent to journalist Yosmany Mayeta, along with images of the incident.
The neighbors pointed out that the beating was a warning to criminals to let them know that theft is not tolerated in that community.
In a video shared by the mentioned source, a man can be seen lying on the ground, curled up, covering his face, while local residents confront him, telling him that it is a disgrace for someone so old to be seeking something to sell as a way to make a living, but that he should not resort to stealing.
After the altercation, the man was handed over to the authorities amidst the applause of those present.
So far, the identity of the accused has not been revealed, nor is their health status known following the assault.
It is becoming increasingly common in Cuba for citizens to apprehend thieves, in a context marked by the rise of crime and violence, which stands in stark contrast to the ineffective response of the police.
A few days ago, residents of Santiago de Cuba captured another thief on the street, tied his hands, and left him restrained while waiting for the police to arrive and arrest him. This incident took place in the Petrocasas neighborhood.
In another recent incident, several people caught a criminal who snatched a chain from a foreign tourist in Old Havana.
In mid-December, residents of the 30 de Noviembre neighborhood, in Santiago de Cuba, apprehended a thief who attempted to rob an elderly man and then tried to flee.
A few days earlier, a 19-year-old who was trying to escape after committing a robbery was apprehended by residents of a neighborhood in the municipality of Guantánamo.
Preguntas frecuentes sobre el auge de la delincuencia en Santiago de Cuba y la respuesta ciudadana
Why are the residents of Santiago de Cuba taking justice into their own hands?
The inefficient police action and the rise in crime have led the residents of Santiago de Cuba to take direct action in apprehending thieves. The lack of security and protection from the authorities has created distrust among the population, prompting them to act in order to protect their communities.
What actions are residents taking in response to the increase in thefts in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents of Santiago de Cuba are capturing thieves and handing them over to the police. In many cases, neighbors detain and restrain the criminals until the authorities arrive, reflecting a community response to the increasing insecurity.
How have the Cuban communities reacted to the rise in crime?
The communities in Cuba have started to take proactive steps in response to the increase in crime. Residents are organizing to apprehend criminals and hand them over to the police, as they believe that the measures taken by the authorities are insufficient to ensure their safety.
What is the role of journalists in disseminating these events of civic justice?
Independent journalists like Yosmany Mayeta Labrada play a crucial role in documenting and disseminating these events of civic justice on social media. Their reports highlight both community action and the shortcomings in police response, bringing visibility to the security situation in Cuba.
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