The Attorney General of the Republic of Cuba reported that several criminal proceedings are underway for acts of vandalism committed against public transport buses in the capital of the country.
Through a notice released on its website, the agency confirmed that those responsible for these attacks have been identified, apprehended, and are currently in provisional custody while investigations continue.
The recent wave of assaults, which has included throwing stones and other blunt objects at vehicles in operation, has not only caused considerable material damage such as broken windows, windshields, and doors, but also injuries to passengers and drivers.
These events, classified as "highly harmful" by the Prosecutor's Office, have caused great concern among the population, which relies on a transportation system already severely affected by resource shortages and the constraints imposed by the country's economic crisis.
In the official statement, the Public Prosecutor's Office emphasizes that "anyone could assume that actions of this nature could lead to such results," and expresses regret over this type of behavior against assets of significant social importance.
The Prosecutor's Office assures that it will act in accordance with its constitutional mandate and with respect to the procedural guarantees of those involved, stating it will "exercise public criminal action before the Courts for the prosecution of those responsible, requesting sanctions corresponding to the severity of the committed acts."
Last week, the Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, acknowledged that these attacks "are not a new phenomenon" but pointed out that "they are usually addressed with rigor."
The leader warned that these assaults jeopardize not only the operation of the buses but also the very lives of those who use and drive them.
"Their authors have the utmost disdain of our people, and they will face the consequences that these actions deserve," he stated emphatically.
In recent months, Havana has been the scene of multiple incidents of this kind.
One of the most recent incidents took place on April 22, when a bus on route 37 was attacked with stones during an early morning trip in the Santos Suárez neighborhood, 10 de Octubre municipality.
In another incident that occurred days earlier, a P8 route bus suffered a broken rear window in an attack and was taken out of service.
In March, a bus on route 23 was the target of a similar attack near the National Museum of Fine Arts. In fact, on the same day as that incident, another vehicle on route P7 was attacked in the municipality of Cotorro.
One of the most notable cases occurred in January when a student threw stones at a P11 bus following an argument with the driver. The young man was apprehended on the spot and processed by the authorities.
The pattern of these acts, which affect heavily trafficked routes in various municipalities of the capital, has raised alarm among both transportation system operators and the users themselves.
The situation exacerbates an already critical reality, where the availability of buses is limited and service disruptions are frequent.
Frequently asked questions about vandalism against buses in Havana
What has caused the recent wave of vandalism against buses in Havana?
The recent wave of vandalism has been triggered by the throwing of stones and other blunt objects at buses, resulting in significant material damage and injuries to passengers and drivers. These acts reflect the increasing atmosphere of social tension and the frustration of the population concerning the deterioration of the public transportation system in the Cuban capital.
What measures have the authorities taken to address these acts of vandalism?
The authorities have identified and detained several individuals responsible for the incidents, who are currently in provisional detention while investigations are ongoing. The Prosecutor's Office will pursue public legal action to prosecute those involved and seek appropriate penalties commensurate with the severity of the events. Additionally, a call has been made to the public to report any aggression or damage against the buses.
How does vandalism affect the public transportation system in Havana?
Vandalism worsens the already critical situation of public transportation, where the shortage of vehicles and spare parts forces citizens to wait for hours to catch a bus. Each attack not only damages the vehicles, but also impacts public trust and deteriorates an already precarious and limited service.
What has the Minister of Transportation said about the situation of vandalism in Havana?
The Minister of Transport, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, has described these acts as unacceptable and has denied rumors about the suspension of nighttime transport services. He has assured that the attacks are not a new phenomenon and are usually dealt with rigorously, highlighting that buses will be recovered thanks to the acquisition of key parts for their repair.
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