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New details have emerged regarding the murder of a Cuban woman in Camagüey earlier this month by her ex-partner, a man serving a prison sentence who took advantage of a temporary leave to take the life of his ex-wife.
The user from Facebook, Irma Broek, identified the victim as Marialedys Abad Morgado, 55 years old.
According to reports, Marialedys was brutally beaten, strangled, and raped in her own home, located in the Albaisa neighborhood of the city of Agramonte.
The author of the crime is named Yoel Caballero. After committing the act, he fled the scene, but was later detained by the Police in the municipality of Guáimaro.
In a statement to Martí Noticias, Lisbania Ortega, the youngest of Marialedys's two daughters, reported that Caballero was serving a sentence in a correctional facility attached to the maximum-security prison known as Kilo 8, in the province.
"We don't know why he was out on leave, as he should have been locked up, but it seems he had connections inside and was frequently let out. She knew that at any moment he was going to hurt her," she pointed out.
The young woman explained that her mother and the aggressor were in a romantic relationship for about two years, but she ended it and he could not accept that.
"He harassed her a lot, and the necessary actions were not taken, because he should have been reported in time," she said.
"She didn't report it because she feared that he would retaliate against one of us (the daughters), as it seems she was afraid of him. He threatened her on two or three occasions..." he added.
Lisbania detailed that the murderer "the first thing he did was to hit her, which weakened her; he strangled her and then violated her after she was dead."
"There is little protection for women. It's impossible for a woman to stand up against a man. My mother was quite strong. I'm sure that if he had given her the chance, she would have fought for her life. To all the women who go through this, speak up, don’t be afraid," she emphasized.
Frequently asked questions about femicide in Camagüey and gender violence in Cuba
Who was Marialedys Abad Morgado and how did her murder happen?
Marialedys Abad Morgado was a 55-year-old woman murdered by her ex-partner in Camagüey. The crime occurred when her ex-partner, Yoel Caballero, who was on leave while serving a sentence, attacked her in her home. The assailant beat, strangled, and raped her in an act of extreme violence. He was later arrested in the municipality of Guáimaro.
What shortcomings are identified in the Cuban justice system regarding the protection of women?
The Cuban justice system has failed to protect women from gender-based violence. The lack of effective reporting, police inaction, and the ease with which perpetrators can leave prison are recurring issues. In Marialedys's case, her aggressor had influences within the prison, which allowed him to be granted leave and commit the crime.
What is the current situation of femicides in Cuba?
The situation of femicides in Cuba is alarming, with a significant increase in recent years. In 2024, 53 femicides were recorded according to independent platforms, reflecting a serious crisis of misogynistic violence in the country. The lack of recognition of femicide as a specific crime in the Cuban Penal Code limits legal and preventive actions.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the increase in gender-based violence?
The Cuban government has implemented a national system for the registration and tracking of gender-based violence, but its effectiveness is being questioned. Although mechanisms have been created to manage the criminal processes related to these offenses, feminist organizations criticize the lack of concrete actions and the insufficient protection provided to at-risk women.
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