A tourist was the victim of a violent assault in broad daylight on Aguiar Street, between Amargura and Teniente Rey, in the heart of Old Havana. One of the assailants left a sneaker behind at the scene.
The incident occurred in broad daylight and was witnessed by neighbors, who recounted the events with indignation and frustration over the lack of police response.
According to a report by Cubanet on their Facebook page, the victim, who was accompanied by another foreigner and a Cuban friend, was dragged across the ground and stripped of a valuable chain by two individuals who were allegedly fleeing after having stolen a cellphone from a nearby car.
After the assault, the visitors attempted to contact the National Revolutionary Police (PNR), but due to the extended delay of the officers, they decided to leave the scene before the authorities arrived, with the criminal's tennis shoes in hand.
The rising insecurity in tourist areas of Havana, particularly in historic sites like Old Havana, continues to raise concerns among both residents and those who depend on tourism.
At the beginning of this year, a group of Cubans caught a criminal who snatched a chain from a foreign tourist in Old Havana.
According to a post on a Facebook account associated with the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), around three in the afternoon that day, several men witnessed the assault and theft of a chain from a tourist from Great Britain in the historic center of the Cuban capital.
While at the beginning of March, a man was detained by residents of the same municipality after snatching the mobile phone from a 73-year-old Belgian tourist.
The incident was recorded on surveillance camera and was shared by the Facebook profile Ransel Londres, which is affiliated with the Ministry of the Interior (MININT).
These events highlight the growing insecurity in Cuba and the lack of effective response by the authorities, leaving foreigners in a state of vulnerability and unprotection.
Frequently asked questions about insecurity in Old Havana and the rise of crime in Cuba
What happened in the recent assault on a tourist in Old Havana?
A tourist was the victim of a violent assault in broad daylight on Aguiar Street, in Old Havana. The attackers dragged him along the ground and stole a valuable chain from him. Although witnesses in the neighborhood saw the incident, the police response was ineffective, forcing the tourists to leave the area with the thief's tennis shoe left behind.
How are residents reacting to the increasing insecurity in Cuba?
In light of the lack of effective response from the authorities, residents have started to take justice into their own hands, capturing and detaining criminals on several occasions. This reflects the distrust in the ability of law enforcement to protect the public and maintain security.
What are the reasons behind the increase in crime in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba is a key factor in the rise of crime. The scarcity of basic resources, the increase in inflation, and the precarious access to essential goods have led to a rise in thefts and violent acts, creating a climate of insecurity and concern among the population.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address insecurity?
Despite acknowledging the increase in violence, the actions of the Cuban government to mitigate insecurity seem insufficient in the eyes of the citizens. The efforts to control crime have not managed to curb the rise in thefts and assaults, leaving many citizens in a state of vulnerability.
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