A young man is arrested in Holguín after stealing a cellphone from a girl on the street

A young man identified as Miguel Zegarra Mendoza was arrested in the municipality of Moa, Holguín, after snatching a cell phone from a minor in broad daylight, an incident that reflects the escalating violence affecting the country, in the sight of local authorities.

The officialist profile Cazador-Cazado, linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), reported this Monday on Facebook that the criminal took advantage of the girl's vulnerability to commit the theft, an incident that, according to the post, has occurred in other areas of the country.

"The fact itself is already quite disgusting, but taking advantage of the vulnerabilities and disadvantages of a minor to defend oneself against theft is the height of audacity," the message states.

Thanks to the intervention of the authorities, the thief was arrested and the phone recovered. The case is now in the hands of the Prosecutor's Office and the Courts, which will determine the appropriate penalties.

The publication, in its usual warning tone, highlighted that crime is on the rise in the country, with particular concern regarding violent robberies in public spaces.

"If you see your neighbor's beard on fire, soak yours in water, because in Holguín, the oven isn't for pastries," the message concludes.

The increase in robberies and thefts in several provinces has raised alarms about insecurity on the streets, amidst a context where the economic crisis continues to hit the population hard.

In recent months, violence and insecurity have increasingly affected children in Cuba, with a worrying rise in assaults and attacks.

The most recent case occurred on March 5, 2025, when a young man was arrested in Santiago de Cuba after threatening a high school student with a knife to steal his phone.

The incident took place in the Sueño neighborhood, where the victim was returning from school. According to police sources, the attacker was identified and arrested shortly after the incident. This case adds to the growing wave of crime affecting minors on the island.

Just a few days earlier, another child was mugged in San Miguel del Padrón, Havana, while heading to school. The child's mother reported on social media that the criminals snatched the backpack and threw the books into the street.

This incident sparked outrage and concern among citizens, who are warning about the lack of security in the streets and the vulnerability of students.

The escalation of violence against minors is not limited to theft. In a tragic incident that occurred in August 2024, in Ciego de Ávila, two women and two minors were reportedly killed during a robbery.

The victims, a mother and her 16-year-old son, along with their neighbor and her 4-year-old son, were attacked in their home after the father left for work. This crime shocked the community and reignited the debate about insecurity in the country.

In addition to assaults and murders, the exposure of children and adolescents to crime is reflected in other serious social problems. An example of this occurred last August, when a young man in Havana tried to prevent three minors from consuming "the chemical", a rising synthetic drug.

By depriving them of the substance, he was attacked by the very children, who even attempted to rob him. This episode highlights the impact of drug trafficking on Cuban youth and the lack of effective measures to prevent substance abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Increase in Crime in Cuba