Related videos:
Two more cases of femicide in Cuba, involving elderly women, were confirmed this Thursday by independent Cuban platforms.
The murder of a woman named Bertha by her grandson in Havana, and that of Julia Safón Álvarez, 61 years old, killed by her partner in Artemisa, raise the total to five femicides since the beginning of 2025, according to the underreporting from the gender violence observatories YoSíTeCreo en Cuba (YSTCC) and the magazine Alas Tensas (OGAT).
"We regret two new femicides in Cuba, both of which are particularly tragic as they involve older women, and one of them is familial, a type that occurs infrequently," they noted in a statement shared on their social media.
Bertha was murdered by her own grandson on February 11, in the home they shared in the Afán neighborhood of San Miguel del Padrón. It was confirmed that the attacker, who had a history of violence, was arrested.
“This family femicide draws attention to the situation of older women in Cuba and their ongoing role as caregivers, even when they should be receiving care themselves,” the platforms alerted.
Julia was fatally attacked by her partner on January 7th in their home in the city of Artemisa. Subsequently, the aggressor took his own life.
According to the initial reports of the crime, published on social media, the woman was brutally murdered with a knife by her husband, identified as Daniel Suárez, with whom she had been in a relationship for 40 years.
Sources added that, allegedly, Suárez "had been in prison for killing a man and stabbing another" and "in addition, he had health issues, which could have triggered this situation."
Julia is survived by two adult daughters.
The statement highlighted that both incidents were verified with community sources through the joint efforts of OGAT and YSTCC.
The authorities are investigating four alerts of possible femicides in Artemisa, Matanzas, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba.
YSTTC and OGAT recorded 55 femicides in Cuba in 2024, an alarming figure, although it is lower than the 89 cases recorded the previous year.
However, official statistics show higher figures. According to data published by the government, in 2023, 110 women were killed by their partners or ex-partners, which represented a rate of 2.16 femicides per 100,000 women. Additionally, that year saw 378 cases of sexual violence prosecuted.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide and Gender Violence in Cuba
How many femicides have been recorded in Cuba so far in 2025?
Until the beginning of 2025, five femicides have been recorded in Cuba, according to the underreporting by the gender violence observatories YoSíTeCreo en Cuba (YSTCC) and the magazine Alas Tensas (OGAT).
What situation do older women in Cuba face regarding gender violence?
Older women in Cuba face a concerning situation of gender violence, especially since many continue in caregiver roles even when they themselves should be receiving care. The femicide of older women, such as Bertha, who was killed by her grandson, highlights this vulnerability and the need for specific protective policies for this demographic group.
How are independent platforms responding to the increase in femicides in Cuba?
Independent platforms like Alas Tensas and YoSíTeCreo in Cuba are documenting and verifying cases of femicides through community sources. Additionally, they are investigating alerts of potential femicides in several provinces, highlighting the importance of community collaboration to address this issue.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to combat gender-based violence?
The Cuban government has implemented a national system for registering, attending to, tracking, and monitoring gender-based violence, and has established a hotline in 40 municipalities to assist victims. However, the effectiveness of these measures is hindered by the absence of a specific classification of femicide in the Cuban Penal Code, which complicates an appropriate response to these crimes.
Filed under: