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The Provincial People's Court of Las Tunas handed down a 28-year prison sentence against a man accused of murdering his ex-partner, a young Cuban mother, in an incident that took place in the early hours of June 5, 2024.
According to the official local newspaper Periódico 26, the assailant attacked Katia Ortiz Figueredo, age 25, with a knife, leaving her two young children orphaned.
In the oral trial held in the First Criminal Court, it was decided to impose additional sanctions on the defendant, such as the deprivation of public rights and the prohibition of applying for a passport or leaving the country during the period of the sentence.
They will also have to pay child support to the victim's children until they reach adulthood or complete their studies.
The convict, whose identity has not been revealed, has previous offenses and both he and the Prosecutor's Office have the right to file an appeal for cassation against the sentence.
Although the name of the femicide victim was not specified, the case corresponds with one reported last year by the platform YoSíTeCreo en Cuba.
According to the provided data, Katia Ortiz Figueredo, 25 years old and mother of two minors, was murdered in broad daylight in the city of Las Tunas on June 5, 2024.
According to testimony from a source familiar with the matter, Katia Ortiz and her ex-partner were divorced, but he, "under threats, had held her for five days in his house and sexually assaulted her, resulting in her becoming pregnant, according to reports from the medical examiner upon performing the autopsy."
The young woman was reportedly stabbed around 11 p.m. on the mentioned day near a pharmacy in the Aguilera neighborhood, where many people were waiting in line to buy medication.
In a troubling context of violence against women on the Island, another 22-year-old mother was murdered by her partner, Gustavo Ortiz Velázquez, in Songo-La Maya, Santiago de Cuba. She was brutally beaten and strangled, and the assailant attempted to cover up the crime by pretending to seek help by taking her to the local polyclinic.
So far in 2025, independent activists have verified at least 16 femicides, with a total of 55 women killed due to gender-based violence in 2024, a figure that, although lower than that of 2023 (85 cases), remains alarming.
Most of these crimes are committed by current or former partners of the victims, and in many cases, children are left orphaned, which exacerbates the social impact.
However, the apparent reduction in some months does not reflect a real improvement, but rather growing difficulties in verifying and reporting these cases due to repression, lack of institutional transparency, power outages, and an economic crisis that limits the flow of information and access to justice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide and Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
What was the sentence for the murderer of Katia Ortiz Figueredo?
The Provincial People's Tribunal of Las Tunas issued a sentence of 28 years of imprisonment against the man accused of murdering Katia Ortiz Figueredo. In addition, ancillary penalties were imposed, such as the deprivation of public rights and the prohibition of leaving the country during the sentence.
What additional measures were taken against the individual convicted of the murder of Katia Ortiz?
In addition to the prison sentence, the convicted person must pay alimony to the victim's children until they reach adulthood or complete their studies. He is also subjected to the deprivation of public rights and is prohibited from applying for a passport or leaving the country during the sentence.
How does the lack of specific legislation on femicide affect Cuba?
The absence of a comprehensive law against gender-based violence in Cuba leaves many women and children in vulnerable situations. Without an appropriate legal framework, femicides are not officially recognized, which perpetuates a climate of impunity and hinders the implementation of protective measures for the victims.
What is the current context of femicides in Cuba?
As of 2025, at least 16 femicides have been reported in Cuba, with 55 women murdered in 2024. The majority of these crimes are committed by partners or former partners, often leaving children orphaned, which exacerbates their social impact. The situation is worsened by a lack of institutional transparency and repression.
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