A Cuban father, identified on social media as Noel Darromán, publicly denounced the police's inaction regarding the serious situation involving his son, who, under the influence of drugs, was attempting to attack and kill his stepfather. According to his testimony, despite having gone multiple times to the police station in El Capri, Matanzas, he received no effective response from the authorities.
In a video posted on his Facebook account, Darromán stated: "I'm speaking from in front of the El Capri unit, where I come to report that my son is using drugs and because of that he wants to harm and kill people. I have come here more than four times and they always tell me the same thing." Due to the lack of police response, he claimed to have contacted the prosecutor's office for assistance but encountered bureaucratic hurdles. "I called the prosecutor's office and explained the problem (...). Right now, there are two people trying to kill each other and they have to wait, call 106, follow a protocol, and then wait to see if they approve sending a patrol car, while they are busy trying to kill each other," he expressed in his complaint, published two days ago on his Facebook profile, although the video is currently no longer available.
The father also criticized the use of police resources, pointing out that he witnessed a patrol transporting two young women while his plea for help was ignored. "Right here I saw a patrol car come out and pick up two attractive girls; it seems they were taking them home. So, the patrol is there to take girls that suit them to their homes, maybe a girlfriend, perhaps a mistress, I don’t know whom. They can’t be taking the patrol to where my son is drugged," he protested.
He also lamented that the authorities only respond immediately in cases related to the protection of state property. "If you're going to do something against the government, they respond right away. But for the community, no. In other words, for us ordinary Cubans, that doesn’t work. We have to go through protocols, jump through hoops (...). If someone is about to break into a store and you alert them, they rush over immediately because that's their currency that they need to protect. That they do care about. Personal integrity, youth, none of that," he lamented.
In recent days, the debate over public safety in Cuba has intensified, with a growing focus on police violence and drug trafficking. The consumption of the synthetic drug known as "El Químico" has reached alarming levels, creating shocking scenes of young people in severe intoxication in full view of the public. In Old Havana, a viral video showed a young man convulsing under the influence of this substance, reigniting the discussion about drug control on the island. The increasing popularity of this narcotic and its easy accessibility have prompted urgent calls for a more effective state response.
The authorities, for their part, have increased anti-drug operations in several municipalities of Havana. In recent raids, large quantities of drugs, such as cocaine and "El Químico," as well as significant sums of cash, have been seized.
Throughout 2024, the Ministry of the Interior reported the seizure of over a ton of drugs and the arrest of 1,157 individuals linked to drug trafficking. However, the perception among many citizens is that these efforts are insufficient or that the police prioritize their resources on political issues rather than on public safety.
The debate on the role of the Cuban police has intensified with the recent release of images of police abuse in Havana. In a video circulating on social media, agents are seen brutally beating a young mason without him resisting. This incident has sparked a wave of outrage, with numerous reports about the impunity with which the National Revolutionary Police operates and the lack of official responses to these events.
The contrast between police ineffectiveness in addressing community issues and their violent actions against ordinary citizens reinforces the perception that the authorities prioritize the protection of state interests over the welfare of the population. While measures such as the creation of the National Drug Observatory are being implemented, doubts remain regarding the Cuban government's ability to confront the drug trafficking problem without infringing upon the rights of citizens.
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