In the early morning of Sunday, June 29, two young men lost their lives following a violent altercation that took place near the bar "El 24" in the city of Cienfuegos.
According to testimonies shared on social media, the victims - Luardis Agulle Jiménez and Lester Leal - were gathering at the location with family members, including a pregnant woman, a minor, and other loved ones.
At a certain moment, three individuals who appeared to be intoxicated started behaving provocatively and disrespectfully, which led to a conflict.
One of those present tried to intervene to calm the situation, but the discussion quickly escalated into a fatal act of violence.
Lester was transferred alive to a hospital, where he passed away shortly after.
Luardis's body was later found, without vital signs, a few meters from the incident site. Family members have reported delays by the authorities in providing assistance and transporting the deceased, and they point out that the alleged attackers managed to flee the scene and have not yet been captured.
"We are broken": A cry for justice from the family
Friends, neighbors, and family members of the victims have turned to social media to share their account of the events and demand justice.
One of the most striking testimonies comes from the Facebook profile Díaz-Canel Singao, where a close acquaintance recounted what happened in a raw manner and requested help to bring visibility to the case:
“Justice. We want justice, and we all ask God that if the police do not respond, we will make sure these deaths do not go unpunished, no matter the cost,” the source said.
The same source shared a video of Luardis Agulle Jiménez's funeral, showing family members devastated by grief.
"We are all broken, and there is the proof." can be read alongside the images.
The city of Cienfuegos, according to various publications, woke up in mourning that Sunday, shaken not only by the loss of Luardis and Lester but also by another murder reported in the city that same weekend, whose victim was buried on the same day.
Criticism of the authorities' actions
Family claims also highlight an alleged inaction and slowness on the part of the authorities. In Luardis's case, they note that his body lay in the street for more than an hour because, as they were told, "the police and the funeral home had no gas to transport it."
The lack of an immediate official response has also sparked a wave of frustration on social media, where a common demand is being echoed: that the three alleged assailants be arrested and prosecuted.
Insecurity and calls for tougher laws
Beyond the specific incident, many citizens expressed their concern about what they perceive as an alarming increase in violence on the streets.
On Facebook, the user Jesús Ensenat wrote:
"Blood has started to flow again in Cienfuegos. There is fear and insecurity among the population. Good people are crying out for drastic measures to be taken... Today, the maximum penalty for a murderer in Cuba is 30 years. How long, gentlemen?"
In his message, Ensenat went further and requested that the death penalty be reintroduced in the Cuban penal code as the only way to stop what he refers to as a wave of unpunished criminality.
"Using a knife or a machete in our neighborhoods has become fashionable. The only one who can put an end to this is the State. The laws are too lenient; they need to be tightened up, gentlemen," he concluded.
Without captures or official statements
As of the time of this publication, no arrests or official statements have been reported by the police or authorities in the province of Cienfuegos.
Both citizen media and independent profiles have insisted that the alleged perpetrators of the crime are still at large, which heightens tension among the population and increases the sense of impunity.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Double Murder in Cienfuegos and the Growing Insecurity in Cuba
What happened in the violent double murder in Cienfuegos?
On June 29, two young men were killed following an altercation at a bar in Cienfuegos. The events unfolded after three individuals, apparently drunk, started a provocation that escalated into violence. The victims, Luardis Agulle Jiménez and Lester Leal, were attacked, resulting in both of their deaths. Lester died in the hospital and Luardis was found lifeless near the scene.
How has the community responded to crime in Cienfuegos?
The community has expressed its outrage and grief through social media, demanding justice for the victims. Family and friends have called for an effective response from the authorities and have denounced the lack of arrests. Testimonies on Facebook reflect the frustration with police inaction and the demand that the assailants be captured and prosecuted.
What is the current perception of security in Cuba?
The perception of safety in Cuba has worsened, with an increase in reported cases of violence in various provinces. Citizens feel an increase in insecurity and are calling for stricter measures to control crime. Social media has highlighted the sense of impunity and the inadequate response from the authorities.
What criticisms have been made of the Cuban authorities following the crime in Cienfuegos?
Authorities have been criticized for alleged inaction and lack of resources to address crime. Families have reported that the body of one of the victims remained in the street due to a lack of police transportation, and that the attackers have still not been captured. These criticisms reflect a growing distrust towards the institutions responsible for public safety.
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