The Cuban opposition leader Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez was the victim of a violent attack in the town of Aguada de Pasajeros, in the province of Cienfuegos.
The assault took place on Saturday, April 5, as reported by user Alpidio Leyva in the Facebook group "Alerta Aguada de Pasajeros." He described the attack as a terrorist act carried out by "hitmen in the service of State Security."
The initial report states that four individuals ambushed the opposition leader in broad daylight, inflicting machete blows to his head and multiple stab wounds that left him seriously injured.
The report was corroborated by the activist and opponent Ángel Moya Acosta, who shared the testimony of the victim's brother, Bárbaro de la Nuez, who recounted that five attackers, armed with machetes, knives, and sticks, surprised Juan Alberto while he was walking through the park of Aguada de Pasajeros.
The ambush caused Juan de la Nuez several fractures in both his arms and legs, as well as ten stab wounds in various parts of his body.
"My brother had surgery on one leg and has undergone surgical assessments on the other. He also had interventions on both arms and his abdomen. He received stitches for multiple wounds on his face, hands, arms, and legs," detailed Bárbaro de la Nuez, who is also a well-known opponent of the Cuban regime in the region.
According to his testimony, four of the alleged assailants were arrested by the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) but were later released. The fifth remains missing.
Bárbaro denounced the lack of interest from the authorities in the case, noting that neither the PNR nor State Security have visited the hospital to take a statement from the victim or inquire about her health condition.
"The crime will not go unpunished," concluded Alpidio Leyva's post, reflecting the outrage that this violent act has generated within the opposition community.
Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez is a representative of the Citizen Movement Reflection and Reconciliation (MCRR) and a member of the Independent Cuban Civil Society pro-democracy and human rights advocacy group.
So far, the Cuban authorities have not made any official statements regarding the incident.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Assault on the Cuban Opposition Leader in Cienfuegos
What happened to the opposition leader Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez in Cienfuegos?
Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez was the victim of a violent assault in Aguada de Pasajeros, Cienfuegos. He was ambushed by five individuals who attacked him with machetes and knives, leaving him seriously injured. The attack has been described as a terrorist act carried out by presumed hitmen working for State Security.
How has the Cuban police responded to the attack against the opposition figure Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez?
According to the testimony of Bárbaro de la Nuez, the victim's brother, the Cuban authorities have shown a notable lack of interest in the case. Although four of the alleged attackers were arrested, they were later released, and the fifth assailant remains at large. Neither the National Revolutionary Police nor State Security agents have visited the victim in the hospital to take statements or inquire about their health status.
What is the security situation in Cuba according to recent reports?
Cuba is facing a troubling increase in crime and violence. Data from the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory reveal a significant rise in crimes such as murders, thefts, and assaults in 2024. Although the government has acknowledged the existence of an atmosphere of insecurity, public perception is that the measures taken are insufficient to reverse the situation.
What is the relationship between Cuba's economic situation and the increase in violence?
The economic crisis in Cuba is a key factor that exacerbates violence and crime. The lack of basic resources, rising inflation, and corruption have contributed to a climate of widespread insecurity, affecting both ordinary citizens and workers in their jobs.
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