A man was caught dismantling part of the railway line in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality of Havana to seize the reinforcing bars that hold the ties of the tracks.
According to the official profile El Cubano Fiel on Facebook, thanks to the swift reporting by residents of the Mantilla area, a sector chief from the National Revolutionary Police managed to intercept the offender just as he was dismantling one of the railway structures, hammer in hand.
The profile aligned with the regime emphasized that the individual, seemingly driven by construction needs, did not consider the serious consequences of their actions, which could have endangered the safety of the trains and led to accidents with the potential for loss of human lives and significant material damage.
El Cubano Fiel presented the event as a demonstration of the "effectiveness" of popular surveillance and the immediate response of the authorities to crimes that threaten critical infrastructure.
The Cuban railway system faces serious technical and operational limitations, characterized by a shortage of spare parts and the deterioration of rolling stock.
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, reported on Facebook that, although some progress has been made in passenger transportation, the lack of resources has impacted the quality and stability of the service.
One of the main issues lies in the availability of locomotives and cars, as of the 20 necessary locomotives, only 14 were operational on average during 2024, which caused delays and irregularities in the schedules, reported the department head.
Additionally, only 63% of the planned cars were operational, due to unresolved technical issues and a lack of foreign currency for their maintenance, Rodríguez emphasized.
Despite these limitations, revenue from passenger transportation reached 107.75% of the planned amount in 2024, with 65,379,814 pesos collected, a figure higher than that of 2023.
This increase reflects greater efficiency in ticket sales and a growing demand for trains as a transportation option, as they are, from a price perspective, the most affordable for the population.
The railway managed to transport 785,272 passengers, exceeding initial projections by 8.31%. This increase was attributed to the optimization of ticket sales and the addition of new stops in certain areas to facilitate passenger access.
In another post on Facebook, the head of the department reported that in 2024 there was a 14% reduction in railway accidents in Cuba, although fatal incidents such as pedestrian strikes persist, with 17 recorded deaths.
He indicated that railway accidents decreased in Cuba during 2024, closing the year with 137 incidents related to train movement safety, compared to the 160 reported in 2023.
Recently, the Cuban government officially acknowledged the deep crisis facing the public transportation system on the island in recent months, significantly affecting the population, which suffers from long waits, overcrowded trips, and canceled routes due to a lack of resources, further complicating daily life in a country already battered by multiple economic hardships.
In a report broadcast by the Informative System of Cuban Television, the Minister of Transport, Rodríguez, detailed the numerous challenges that have affected the sector, from the impact of the global economic crisis and the recurring argument of the intensification of the U.S. embargo to the deterioration of infrastructure and the lack of essential supplies.
At the end of 2024, the Minister of Transportation admitted that the new vehicle import policies are not a definitive solution to the mobility crisis. Despite relaxing the import regulations, the shortage of means of transportation remains a structural issue.
In February 2025, the official press attempted to justify the difficulties in the sector by attributing them to U.S. sanctions. In an article titled "Who pays the price for an economic war?", the newspaper Girón blamed the embargo for the blackouts, rising prices, and the transport crisis, although various independent analysts point out that governmental inefficiency and the lack of economic reforms also play a key role in the crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crime in Cuba and Safety in Havana
What happened in the attempted theft of rebar on the railway in Havana?
A man was caught dismantling part of the railway line in the Arroyo Naranjo municipality in Havana, intending to steal rebar. He was apprehended thanks to a report from local residents and the swift response of the National Revolutionary Police.
What is the role of citizens in the capture of criminals in Cuba?
Amid the perceived ineffectiveness of authorities to control crime, citizens in Cuba have begun to take justice into their own hands, capturing and detaining criminals until the police arrive. This phenomenon reflects a growing frustration and distrust in the country's security institutions.
How does the economic crisis affect the rise in crime in Cuba?
The economic crisis in Cuba is a key factor in the rise of crime. The scarcity of basic resources and the increase in inflation have led to a rise in thefts and assaults, creating insecurity and concern among the population.
How does the Cuban government respond to the increase in crime?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the rise in violence and crime, but the concrete actions to mitigate the situation appear to be insufficient. The public continues to face high levels of insecurity, reflecting the ineffectiveness of the measures taken so far.
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