On Saturday night, a crowd of young people in Santiago de Cuba decided to take justice into their own hands against crime and apprehended an alleged phone snatcher in front of the café bar M'ka.
The incident occurred at the busy intersection of Enramadas and Alameda streets, where a street festival was taking place.
According to witnesses, the individual was caught in the act while trying to steal a cellphone. Quickly, several people apprehended him and, without waiting for the authorities to arrive, began beating him until they took him away from the scene.
A video of the incident, sent by a witness to journalist Yosmany Mayeta, shows the crowd and the shouts at the scene, although it is impossible to see the beating or the alleged thief.
"Amid kicks and punches, the phone thief was removed from the area without police authorities intervening," commented Mayeta.
In the recording, a young woman can be heard stating that "they found the phone", to which another witness concludes, "He won't do that again."
So far, details regarding the health status of the alleged thief are unknown, nor is it clear whether he suffered serious injuries. There has also been no information about the police's involvement in the incident.
This is not the first case of vigilante justice in Santiago de Cuba, incidents that reflect the growing frustration of the population in the face of insecurity and the perception of impunity in the city.
This same week, residents captured a man who, in broad daylight, assaulted a person on the street and snatched their cell phone.
A video shared by Mayeta shows the thief being held by a man who was taking him down the middle of the avenue towards the police station, surrounded by people.
The incident occurred in the area where several 18-story buildings rise in the city, which, according to several people in the post, is known for a high level of crime.
"Not a single police officer around, there is no security whatsoever, not even in the very center of the city. (...) On top of that, the townspeople have to perform duties that are not theirs, and are even at risk of being assaulted by the very thieves, but if that's not the case, those damn people just keep doing whatever they want," said a Cuban in Mayeta's post on Facebook.
Several internet users pointed out that it is very likely the individual was detained for a short time, and perhaps the next day he will be released to steal again.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crime and Safety in Santiago de Cuba
Why are cases of vigilante justice multiplying in Santiago de Cuba?
The growing frustration of the population regarding insecurity and the perception of impunity is leading citizens to take justice into their own hands. The inefficiency of the police and the rise in crime have caused residents to feel the need to protect themselves and their communities.
How are the citizens of Santiago de Cuba responding to crime?
Citizens of Santiago de Cuba are taking drastic measures by capturing criminals themselves. They have started to act on their own, detaining and sometimes beating thieves before handing them over to the authorities, due to a lack of trust in police actions. This phenomenon reflects a growing desperation to protect their safety amid a wave of crime.
What is the response of the authorities to these acts of vigilante justice?
Until now, there has been no effective response from the authorities to these acts of vigilante justice. The lack of police intervention in many of these cases has been a constant, reinforcing the perception of inefficiency and prompting citizens to feel the need to take action on their own to ensure their safety.
What recent incidents highlight the ineffectiveness of the police in Santiago de Cuba?
Recently, several incidents of theft and robbery have been halted by the citizens themselves without effective police intervention. The cases range from captures of thieves in broad daylight to beatings before handing them over to the authorities. These actions reflect the frustration and lack of trust in the police's ability to ensure safety.
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