A Cuban woman in the United States shared on TikTok her distress over the increasing climate of violence on the island. In a video posted on her account, the user @saylin4020 recounted, visibly shaken, that a friend of her father was killed after being stabbed during a robbery attempt at his home.
“Gentlemen, it is sad to see the level of violence in Cuba, I say this sincerely,” she expressed at the beginning of the video. According to her account, during the previous night several men had broken into the victim's home, and upon hearing them, he decided to confront them. “He went after them, managed to face the thieves, the thieves stabbed him and left him lying there,” she recounted. She added that he was found the next morning and taken to the hospital, but he passed away before receiving medical attention. “Just imagine, lying there all night stabbed,” she said, shocked.
The Cuban woman lamented that the attackers took only "a horse and a yoke of oxen," which, in her words, demonstrates the disregard for human life. "This is what a person's life is worth in Cuba and it truly is sad and heartbreaking," she stated. She also emphasized that the victim was a hardworking individual who harmed no one: "They are people you know, who you see dedicate themselves to work… and for someone to come at night to take away, while you're sleeping, resting, to steal from you, and that you want to defend what is yours and in the end end up dead."
The testimony generated a strong reaction on TikTok. Some users empathized with Saylin's pain, expressing disbelief and sadness. “My God, for our Father God, what is happening in our country?” commented one follower. Others shared similar experiences. One user recounted that her father, a farm owner, was also a victim of an attack: “Something similar happened to him; fortunately, the stab wounds were not deep and he got to the hospital in time. The thieves didn’t catch him.” Another user remembered that his uncle was murdered in Bayamo for an old phone: “He was stabbed three times at 5 a.m. on his way to work… in Cuba, life is worth nothing.”
There were also comments expressing outrage at the institutional response: “And that's how it is, the police catch them and release them after a few months,” said one user. Saylin replied: “Exactly.”
This testimony adds to a series of violent events that have recently occurred on the island, which have been reported by independent media and denounced by citizens on social networks. In Santiago de Cuba, a man attacked his partner with a machete and then committed suicide, all in the presence of their minor children. In Matanzas, a street musician with a mental disability was stabbed during an attempted robbery. Also in Santiago, an elderly man was murdered allegedly for his checkbook and a television, and a young thief was apprehended by neighbors after a similar robbery.
In Artemisa, a doctor was brutally murdered with 22 stab wounds during a blackout, and in Havana, a driver was stabbed to death by a passenger he had contracted for a trip. Camagüey is not escape this situation either: residents of the La Mosca neighborhood report the presence of hooded individuals who are assaulting passersby and robbing homes during the early morning hours.
Although the accounts vary, the common background remains the same: fear, helplessness, and a widespread sense of impunity. Saylin4020, like other Cubans both on and off the island, expresses a shared pain and a concern that goes beyond the personal. "It really is sad," he repeated more than once in his video. With that simple phrase, he gave voice to a reality that many experience in silence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Violence and the Crisis in Cuba
How is violence affecting daily life in Cuba?
Violence in Cuba is creating a climate of fear and helplessness among citizens, who feel unsafe even in their own homes. Violent robberies, such as the murder of a friend of a Cuban woman's father in the U.S., reflect the lack of protection and effective response from the authorities, which contributes to a widespread perception of impunity on the island.
What role are social media playing in denouncing violence in Cuba?
Social media, especially platforms like TikTok, have become a crucial means for Cubans to denounce the violence and injustices they experience on the island. Personal testimonies, such as those from Saylin in the U.S., raise awareness and foster solidarity among the diaspora and citizens within Cuba, allowing these denouncements to transcend borders and reach a global audience.
What is the Cuban government's response to the escalating violence?
According to testimonies and complaints made by citizens, the response of the Cuban government has been insufficient, leading to criticism and outrage. The perception of impunity and the lack of effective action by the authorities have caused many to express their frustration and distrust towards the regime in managing public safety.
What factors contribute to violence in Cuba?
The economic crisis, hunger, and misery are significant factors that contribute to the increase in violence in Cuba. The desperation of many citizens due to the lack of basic resources has led to a rise in thefts and other crimes, exacerbating insecurity on the island.
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