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A coachman identified as Marcos Heredia García de la Concepción attacked a government inspector named Niurka Nava Alarcón with a machete in Palma Soriano, Santiago de Cuba province, after she issued him a fine of 16,000 pesos in national currency.
The information, initially disseminated by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta on his Facebook profile, indicates that after the fine, the coachman reacted violently and attacked Nava Alarcón, causing serious injuries to the head and neck area.
The incident occurred around noon on April 1st, on F Street, located in the La Cuba People's Council, Palma Soriano municipality.
After the assault, the victim was initially treated at the Main Emergency Unit (UPU) of the Juan B. Viñas General Hospital, and later transferred to the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital in the provincial capital, where she is currently hospitalized.
According to the official report provided by José Yaser Centray Soler, the inspector remains stable and out of danger.
The aggressor was immediately detained by forces from the Ministry of the Interior, who are now investigating the circumstances of the incident.
However, independent sources and local authorities provide conflicting accounts regarding the specific reason that triggered the aggression.
Although the journalist Mayeta, an independent communicator who consistently exposes the government, highlights the fine of 16,000 pesos as the trigger, the official spokesperson Centray denied this account and stated that the inspector was not conducting a direct inspection of the assailant at that moment.
The incident has sparked strong criticism on social media, where self-employed individuals have repeatedly reported harassment by the authorities through excessive fines, while other citizens have called for greater protection for inspectors to prevent violent incidents like this.
Both sources strongly condemn the aggression and call for an end to the violence that increasingly mars daily life in Cuba.
In 2024, the Cuban regime announced that it had prepared an army of 7,000 inspectors to enforce the regulations approved by the government concerning price limits on certain essential goods.
Rodríguez clarified, in statements to Canal Caribe, that officials trained to enforce Decree 30, which establishes the sanctioning regime in the fight against price violations, have joined the inspectors.
That same year, the Cuban government announced that starting in January 2025, it would pay inspectors and ticket collectors based on their results, amid the state campaign against private businesses.
Prime Minister Manuel Marrero announced at the National Assembly of People's Power that a payment system has been approved to assess the effectiveness of the work performed by inspectors and all employees of the fine collection offices.
Also in 2024, the Cuban regime accredited the first group of social communication inspectors, subordinate to the Institute of Information and Social Communication (IICS), with the aim to "control and supervise," reinforcing state control over information and raising concerns about an increase in censorship.
Jorge Legañoa, vice president of the IICS, shared images of the newly graduated inspectors as they signed the Code of Ethics and received their credentials on his X profile.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Assault on the Inspector in Santiago de Cuba
What happened in the incident between the coachman and the inspector in Santiago de Cuba?
A coachman identified as Marcos Heredia García de la Concepción attacked a government inspector, Niurka Nava Alarcón, with a machete after receiving a fine of 16,000 pesos. The inspector suffered serious injuries to her head and neck and is currently hospitalized, but she is stable and out of danger.
What was the reason for the aggression towards the inspector?
There are conflicting versions regarding the reason for the aggression. According to journalist Yosmany Mayeta, the trigger was a fine of 16,000 pesos, while an official spokesperson denies this version, stating that the inspector was not conducting a direct inspection of the aggressor at that moment.
What impact has this incident had on Cuban society?
The incident has sparked strong criticism on social media. Many self-employed individuals have reported harassment from the authorities through excessive fines, while other citizens have called for greater protection for inspectors to prevent violent incidents like this.
How is the Cuban government responding to violence against inspectors?
The government has announced a new performance-based payment system for inspectors and fine collectors, aimed at improving their working conditions. However, the measures have been criticized for being perceived as an incentive to increase fines, rather than addressing the underlying issues of violence and social tension.
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