A house in the Havana municipality of Marianao was the target, once again, of an attempted robbery, the second in less than a month and the fifth in the last two months, prompting the affected family to offer a reward of 100,000 Cuban pesos for any information regarding the perpetrators.
According to the page La Tijera, on Facebook, the incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. when unknown individuals attempted to break into the house located on Avenida 45, between 112 and 114, in the municipality of Marianao.
Despite having surveillance cameras, bars, and an alarm system, criminals have managed to bypass security on multiple occasions, reflecting the growing insecurity in Cuba.
"Not even with security cameras, nor with bars and alarms is one safe in Cuba," denounced the page LaTijera, which accompanied the post with video clips showing a man dressed in overalls, gloves, a cap, a face mask, and rubber boots trying to access the home.
In the comments section of the original post, Yunior Amaro, who identified himself as the homeowner, expressed gratitude for the publicity of the case and reiterated that any information that helps identify the perpetrators will be rewarded.
"You can write to me directly on my profile. I ask you to take action. I know this happens all over Cuba, but this Marianao is really 'rich rich' with the thefts and drugs. I don't know where we are headed," he lamented.
Amaro also warned about the risk that families face from these kinds of criminals. “These thieves look for trouble with anyone. God give me the chance to catch him entering the house one day,” he wrote.
Less than a month ago, this same property was the victim of a robbery in which the thieves stole construction materials and a generator, also occurring in the early hours of the morning.
The Facebook page La Tijera reported the incident and shared a video recorded by surveillance cameras showing the thief in action in the early hours of the morning, on the roof of the house.
On that occasion, Amaro confirmed the incident and reported that the thief also broke a door at a place where there was a freezer and took all the food.
In addition, he urged anyone with information that could help identify the wrongdoer to write to him and offered a reward of 30,000 pesos.
Insecurity in Cuba continues to worsen, with cases reflecting a growing wave of thefts and violence in various provinces of the country. Recently, two men were arrested in Ciego de Ávila after attempting to steal an electric motorcycle in broad daylight.
The attempted robbery was thwarted by citizens who decided to act on their own and detained the criminals until the police arrived. The incident reignited the debate on social media about the effectiveness of the authorities and the social causes that fuel crime.
Last February, another violent incident was reported in Majibacoa, Las Tunas, where two individuals brutally attacked a security guard to steal animals from a cooperative.
The violent robbery was made possible by the lack of proper surveillance and demonstrated how crime is spreading to rural areas as well, driven by the economic crisis and the scarcity of essential resources.
In Santiago de Cuba, the response of the residents has become part of the pattern in response to the perception of institutional neglect. Also in February, a man was captured by residents of the Pastorita neighborhood after snatching a phone from someone.
Witnesses decided to take justice into their own hands and gave a beating to the alleged thief before turning him over to the authorities, highlighting the public's desperation in the face of rising street crime.
The most alarming situation occurred last January when a 21-year-old man was murdered in Centro Habana, allegedly in order to steal his cell phone.
The victim was stabbed multiple times after being intercepted by two attackers, in a case that sparked strong public outrage. This incident adds to other violent robberies that have occurred in various regions, reflecting an increasingly deteriorating social context.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Increasing Insecurity in Havana
Why is insecurity increasing in Havana?
Insecurity in Havana is increasing due to a combination of economic and social factors. The economic crisis has led to a rise in criminal activity, including thefts and assaults, while the limited response from authorities adds to the sense of impunity among criminals. Furthermore, the presence of weapons and drug trafficking exacerbate the insecurity situation in the Cuban capital.
What security measures are the residents of Havana taking?
Residents of Havana are installing surveillance cameras, alarm systems, and bars on their homes as security measures. However, despite these efforts, criminals have managed to bypass these protections, highlighting the seriousness of the insecurity problem in the city.
How are the Cuban authorities responding to the wave of robberies?
The response from the Cuban authorities has been widely criticized for its inefficiency. Although operations and arrests are conducted, the lack of effective actions and the perception of impunity among criminals have created distrust and frustration among citizens, who feel they must take justice into their own hands.
What role do social media play in reporting thefts in Havana?
Social media has become a key tool for reporting thefts in Havana. Citizens share videos from security cameras and offer rewards for information about the criminals. This practice has increased public pressure on authorities to take action and has facilitated the dissemination of these crimes to alert the community.
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