Family, friends, and neighbors bid farewell this Thursday to the young mother Melissa Castillo, who was , in the presence of her young children.
To the cemetery in the city of Santiago de Cuba, they went to say their final farewell, according to a video published by the independent communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
The crime occurred in building 25 of the mentioned neighborhood, where Melissa lived with her two children.
The attacker, a man from Guantánamo and the father of the children, broke into the house with a knife and fatally attacked her.
Also, they seriously injured Melissa's current partner and an uncle of the victim, who tried to defend her and are currently hospitalized in critical condition.
According to testimonies from neighbors shared by Mayeta Labrada, the attack was apparently motivated by jealousy. Melissa no longer had any emotional ties with the assailant.
A video circulated by Mayeta shows the moment when the victim's coffin was transported to the Institute of Legal Medicine. Family members and neighborhood residents accompanied the procession amidst cries and calls for justice.
Social media has become an outlet for a deeply wounded community.
A mother without life and small children without their mother... God, do something about this situation. Men who kill as if she were an animal with no mourners... wrote a neighbor from the community who knew Melissa and remembered her from her visits to the church.
Another comment, filled with helplessness, reflected what many are feeling today in Cuba. “It’s intense… all of this is very sad. What is happening with Cuban mothers, my God, how long will this last? Rest in peace. Everything is very sad. I don’t know how much longer this will go on… now men have taken to killing as if one were their property.”
The case of Melissa has renewed the public demand for a comprehensive law against gender violence, a long-standing obligation in Cuba. Feminist organizations have been calling for years for the classification of femicide and real protection measures for victims.
So far, the arrest of the alleged perpetrator of the crime has not been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide and Gender Violence in Cuba
What happened to Melissa Castillo in Santiago de Cuba?
Melissa Castillo was murdered by her ex-partner in her home in Santiago de Cuba, in the presence of her children. The attacker, motivated by jealousy, also seriously injured Melissa's current partner and an uncle of the victim.
What is the current situation of gender-based violence in Cuba?
Gender violence in Cuba is an alarming issue. In 2024, 53 femicides have been reported according to independent platforms. Despite the seriousness of the situation, femicide is not classified as a crime in the Cuban Penal Code.
What is the Cuban government doing to combat gender violence?
The Cuban government has implemented a national system for the registration, care, tracking, and monitoring of gender-based violence in the family environment. However, its effectiveness has been questioned by feminist organizations due to the lack of concrete actions and the absence of specific legal classification for femicide.
Why is the Cuban government's response to feminicides being criticized?
Criticism focuses on the lack of official recognition of the term "femicide" and the inadequacy of concrete measures to protect women. Authorities do not respond effectively to early alerts, and the lack of transparency in official statistics hinders an appropriate response to the issue.
Filed under:
