The Cuban regime has confirmed that it will not make public the statistics on femicides and gender-based violence, despite the increasing calls from society for transparency and action regarding this serious issue.
According to an article published in the official newspaper Granma, authored by Ana Hernández, Chief Prosecutor of the Information and Analysis Directorate, and Anneliesse Toranzo, Prosecutor of the Criminal Proceedings Directorate, the authorities are currently working on a digitized and interoperable Administrative Registry, but of a non-public nature, regarding the violent death of women and girls for gender-related reasons.
This registry is being developed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Interior, the People's Supreme Court, and the University of Computer Sciences (UCI), the authors added.
The objective, according to the text, is to provide information only to state and government authorities, and to the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC), to facilitate prevention and repair actions, with no access for the public, independent media, or feminist organizations.
Institutional opacity in the face of the increase in femicides
The announcement reinforces the criticism regarding a lack of transparency and confirms that the government does not acknowledge the public's right to know how many women are being murdered for gender-based reasons in Cuba.
Activists and independent platforms such as YoSíTeCreo en Cuba and the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas have repeatedly denounced the systematic concealment of statistics, as well as the state's disinterest in highlighting and urgently addressing machismo violence.
These organizations, in light of the official silence, have taken on the task of documenting femicides on the island autonomously, with limited resources and under constant scrutiny.
A useful tool… only for power
According to the cited prosecutors, the system will enable the identification of causes, consequences, and at-risk groups, as well as guide prevention interventions and measures to prevent recurrence. However, the fact that the tool is not public undermines its social utility and leaves victims, their families, and civil society without access to crucial data that could save lives.
Despite the fact that the FMC acknowledged an increase in "femicides" on the island following the pandemic, the regime continues to refuse to declare a national state of emergency for gender-based violence, a demand consistently put forth by feminist groups and human rights advocates.
Cases are increasing
On April 4th, it was reported that a Cuban woman and mother of three was murdered allegedly by her ex-partner in the town of Guayos, in the municipality of Cabaiguán, Sancti Spíritus. The victim's body was found this week in a grave at her ex-partner's home.
In March, the Cuban feminist platform Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed two new femicides in the country, notably both occurred in the province of Camagüey.
On the 8th, Marialedys Abad Morgado, 55 years old and mother of two adult daughters, was killed by her ex-partner in her own home in the Albaisa neighborhood of Guáimaro. The attacker was on a day pass from prison.
The second confirmed femicide occurred on February 2 in the municipality of Vertientes. Unlike the murder of Marialedys, in this case, the perpetrator has not been identified.
The victim, Cristina Guerra, 54 years old, was shot in her home in the San Antonio community "by an unidentified person, under circumstances indicating gender bias," the message on X specifies.
Until March 26, the platforms YoSíTeCreo and the Gender Observatory Alas Tensas reported that they had recorded a total of nine femicides in Cuba so far in 2025.
Frequently asked questions about gender violence and femicides in Cuba
Why does the Cuban regime refuse to publish statistics on femicides?
The Cuban regime has decided not to make public the statistics on femicides and gender-based violence, arguing that the information collected in its Administrative Register will be used exclusively by state authorities and the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) for prevention and reparative actions, but will not be available to the public, independent media, or feminist organizations. This lack of transparency has been strongly criticized by activists and independent platforms, who denounce a systematic concealment of figures and a state disinterest in effectively addressing gender-based violence.
What actions are feminist organizations in Cuba taking in response to the increase in femicides?
In response to the lack of action and transparency from the Cuban government, feminist platforms such as YoSíTeCreo en Cuba and the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas have taken on the task of documenting femicides independently. These organizations utilize encrypted messaging and social media to collect and verify information about cases of gender-based violence, providing civil society with an alternative means to report and highlight these crimes. Additionally, they continue to advocate for effective public policies and transparency in the dissemination of official statistics.
Are there government initiatives to address gender-based violence in Cuba?
The Cuban government has implemented certain initiatives to address gender-based violence, such as the establishment of a hotline in 40 municipalities to provide immediate assistance and gather data on the issue. However, the effectiveness of these measures is questioned due to a lack of transparency and the absence of an appropriate legal framework, as femicide is not classified as a specific crime in the Cuban Penal Code. The lack of official recognition of the severity of gender-based violence limits the impact of these actions.
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