After a series of violent incidents in her immediate environment - thefts, assaults, and a police response that borders on indifference - the Cuban broadcaster Laritza Camacho pointed out the issue and questioned the myth of citizen tranquility in Cuba: violence is becoming normalized, while the population loses faith in justice.
In light of the possible argument that there have always been feminicides, drugs, street gangs, or scams, and that today they simply gain visibility by going viral on social media, "I will only speak here about that violence that did not reach me through social media, that violence that pulses beside me, beside you, and that exists exalted, multiplied, and increasingly worse," Camacho wrote on his Facebook profile.
Without beating around the bush, he outlined a list of assaults suffered by acquaintances in less than a week: a neighbor who had his cell phone yanked from his hand while on a motorcycle and was run over, a woman who was stripped of all her groceries in a line, two injured after being mugged, and a friend who was a victim of a robbery in her own home.
In this last case, “a guard sees the thief enter, a patrol passes by... they tell them, warn them that the thief is still inside... and the patrollers respond that they cannot enter the houses... nor could they set up an operation outside... they simply left... and that was it...,” lamented Camacho, with a mix of indignation and resignation.
For the broadcaster, the country is undergoing a true metastasis of violence, with no possible treatment. She further denounced that people have lost faith in the authorities: “Why should I go to the police? What am I going to resolve?” is the widespread sentiment that she claimed can be heard on the streets.
Even more alarming, he warned that, in the face of the state's inaction, it is the citizens themselves who are taking justice into their own hands, sometimes with levels of brutality equal to or worse than that of the criminals: "...you discover that when it was enough to immobilize the wrongdoer you caught... three or four become brutal and kick him, break cheekbones, and attack with as much fury as the thief who enters a house ready to do anything".
Cubans... the whole cops and robbers thing is no longer an innocent childhood game, Camacho declared. And judging by the reactions, no one disagrees. Dozens of users commented on the post and shared similar experiences, in an atmosphere of frustration, fear, and complete distrust in the institutions.
"When the phenomenon began three or four years ago and I reported it on social media, my peers insulted me, and the mildest accusation was that I was 'arming the enemy' (as original as ever) and that this was still 'the safest country in the world.' I wonder what arguments they will use to defend such sophistries now," emphasized film critic Frank Padrón Nodarse.
"This has clearly spiraled out of control... I feel sorry for everyone who is inside our island," wrote internet user Dunia Morejón. María de los Ángeles Martínez stated bluntly: "You can't even go outside, and the police are just there for other things," while Narda Espinosa lamented: "The worst thing that can happen to a country is for its citizens to be unprotected, and that's how we are in Cuba."
The music producer Iván Leyva went further in his analysis: “The police are no longer friends of the people… we are at the mercy of robbers, thieves, and murderers, and the police do nothing.” In his opinion, law enforcement agencies have lost their values and the commitment to citizen safety.
"We will need to organize and create citizen defense brigades to stand up to those savages. It is not the healthiest approach for the people to take justice into their own hands, but if the state does not act, people will have to seek alternatives for their defense and security," he warned.
For Marcia Gasca, what is happening now surpasses even the dark years of the 90s: “We are now in a new spiral of violence, thefts, and drugs like never before. But I don’t see any measures being taken in this regard.” She recounted that in her building, several young people consume the so-called "chemical" in plain sight, and the neighbors simply don’t know what to do.
Other voices, like that of Jorge Luis Sierra, pointed directly to a structural crisis: “Cuba is a country facing an economic, moral, ideological, and ethical crisis.”
The outburst of broadcaster Laritza Camacho on social media confirms a common pattern in recent times in Cuba: extreme acts of violence, which even escalate to murder, to rob the victims.
These incidents reignite the debate about the growing crisis of public security in Cuba, exacerbated by the deep economic depression and the institutional collapse affecting all levels of the state. A reality that increasingly dismantles the slogan repeated for decades as a trophy of the system: public tranquility.
The Cuban musician Eduardo Longa, a prominent rock drummer, suffered severe injuries as a result of a brutal beating during an assault on Sunday night in Havana, aimed at robbing him of his motorcycle and other personal belongings.
In mid-May, medical personnel were assaulted in the emergency room of the Saturnino Lora Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, a situation of direct violence against health professionals, in an area that should be safeguarded by security protocols and a constant police presence.
A few days ago, a ninth-grade student killed the administrator of the 27 de Noviembre Secondary School located in Puerto Esperanza, Pinar del Río.
Violent assaults against tourists are also reported in areas such as Old Havana. This is compounded by the increase in vandalism against public transport and attacks on drivers.
Likewise, videos reflecting a silent crisis, but increasingly visible are becoming more frequent: the consumption of synthetic drugs among young Cubans, such as the so-called “chemical”.
An alert is circulating on social media about a scheme targeting travelers, especially Cuban Americans in the island: the theft of personal documents, such as passports or residency cards, followed by a “timely finding” when victims post rewards to retrieve them.
During the first months of 2025, various reports reflect how the economic crisis in Cuba has led to new forms of criminal activity, particularly in rural areas. In January, a report from Pinar del Río warned about a practice that combines theft with extortion: farmers reported that criminals were kidnapping domestic animals -such as pigs- and then demanded ransoms of up to 30,000 Cuban pesos for their return.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Increasing Insecurity in Cuba
What is the current situation of crime in Cuba?
Crime in Cuba has significantly increased in recent years, with a rise in thefts, assaults, and violence. The population expresses its frustration over the ineffectiveness of the police, and many citizens have begun to take justice into their own hands due to the lack of an effective response from the authorities. These events reflect a crisis in public safety that is exacerbated by the country's economic situation.
How is police inaction affecting the Cuban population?
The inaction of the police has led to the Cuban population losing faith in the authorities and taking matters into their own hands to protect themselves. This has resulted in situations of violence where citizens capture and sometimes assault criminals before handing them over to the police. The lack of trust in institutions and the constant fear have created an atmosphere of widespread insecurity.
What role do social networks play in the perception of insecurity in Cuba?
Social media has played a crucial role in highlighting insecurity in Cuba, allowing citizens to share their experiences and complaints. Although the government has attempted to downplay these accounts as exaggerations, the widespread dissemination of incidents of violence and crime has sparked a public debate about the true state of security on the island.
What measures are being taken to address the security crisis in Cuba?
Until now, the measures taken by the Cuban government have been insufficient to address the security crisis. Authorities have been criticized for their ineffectiveness and lack of decisive action. Some citizens are proposing alternatives such as the organization of citizen defense brigades, although this should not be the primary solution. The demand for concrete and effective actions remains an urgent need to ensure the safety of the population.
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