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The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) of Cuba conducted a joint operation that resulted in the dismantling of a criminal network dedicated to the theft and illegal slaughter of large livestock in the municipality of Santa Clara.
According to the official spokesperson Henry Omar Pérez, via his Facebook account, the operation, carried out in coordination with other forces, successfully apprehended three individuals involved in the illegal activities, who have not yet been publicly identified.
Authorities seized over 300 pounds of beef, a result of these illegal practices, which highlights the significant demand for this product among the population, who generally rely on this as their only means of accessing this food.
According to police sources, the detainees operated in strategic areas near the national highway and the Santa Clara bypass, taking advantage of these access routes to carry out thefts and facilitate the distribution of meat.
The investigations revealed that the gang was well organized, with defined roles: some members were responsible for the theft, others for the sacrifice, and others for the distribution.
According to MININT, this criminal scheme significantly affected the economy of local farmers and the integrity of the livestock in the region. Although the report does not mention it, the limited access of the population to beef is the root of this market.
Lieutenant Colonel Héctor de la Fe, MININT delegate in Santa Clara, explained that "these criminal gangs posed a serious threat to the peace of our farmers. Their modus operandi was well-structured, with members dedicated to theft, slaughter, and the distribution of meat, but thanks to the expertise of our forces, we were able to act effectively."
De la Fe emphasized the importance of citizen collaboration, stating that the information provided by the farmers was key in identifying the locations where the gangs operated and in planning the operation.
The official highlighted MININT's commitment to continue working to ensure the safety and peace of the people of Santa Clara.
In recent months, cases of theft and illegal slaughter of livestock in Cuba have increased significantly, reflecting the crisis in agricultural production and the growing insecurity in rural areas. A farmer from Sancti Spíritus reported the killing of several of his cattle, including two pregnant cows and three young bulls, demanding concrete measures from the government to curb these crimes.
According to his testimony, the impunity of thieves is one of the main factors affecting livestock farming on the island, leaving producers in a state of total vulnerability.
In December 2024, authorities in Holguín detained a man for transporting three sacks of beef in a cart, a crime that is severely punished in Cuba due to the restrictions imposed on the sale of this product.
This arrest is part of the intensified surveillance and exemplary trials promoted by the government to deter the illegal meat trade. However, the black market continues to grow due to shortages at official sales points and the high prices of meat on the island.
Additionally, in Santiago de Cuba, the police recovered two oxen that were going to be illegally slaughtered in a house in Songo-La Maya.
According to official reports, these events are part of a broader phenomenon, in which more than 9,000 people have been involved in crimes against livestock in the past year. Authorities have implemented operations such as the “National Exercise for Prevention and Combatting Crime” to strengthen control over these illicit activities.
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