A tragic act of violence recently shook the province of Holguín, where a man was arrested after brutally murdering his wife in broad daylight and seriously injuring his stepdaughter.
The incident occurred in the Cruce del Coco neighborhood, and according to reports from the Facebook page "Realidades desde Holguín," close to police sources, the crime was motivated by "personal issues."
According to the report, the individual used a bladed weapon to attack his partner, resulting in her death at the scene.
Minutes later, amid the chaos, he also physically assaulted the woman's daughter, who sustained serious injuries and was urgently taken to the hospital, where she remains hospitalized.
After committing the crime, the assailant attempted to flee the area, presumably in an effort to avoid the authorities. However, his escape was short-lived.
A joint operation involving the Ministry of Interior, the Police, the Technical Investigations Department (DTI), and the Special Brigade of Holguín, with the support of the police forces in the province of Camagüey and citizen collaboration, enabled their location and capture in record time.
"Would this being think that by changing location they would leave crime behind?" the author of the post questioned ironically, emphasizing that "justice is one" and that there is no escape for those who commit acts of violence like this.
The detainee will now face a lengthy criminal process for the two assaults, offenses that have generated great outrage in the local community.
The victim, described by those close to her as a vibrant young woman from Holguín, was mourned by neighbors and family members, who also expressed their hopes for the recovery of the injured teenager.
This new episode of domestic violence reignites alarms in a society increasingly worried about the rise in femicides and the lack of effective preventive measures
Until July 15, the YoSíTe Creo en Cuba (YSTCC) and the Observatorio de Género de Alas Tensas (OGAT) platforms confirmed 19 femicides so far in 2025 in the country.
The two most recent crimes occurred in rural areas of Cuba, highlighting the multiple vulnerabilities that women face in the countryside, where structural gaps in protection, access to services, and institutional responses to violence persist.
Both victims were young, students, and mothers.
One of the victims was Melisa Rivero Bacallao, 24 years old, who was murdered on July 8 by someone she knew in areas near the road of the Fructuoso Rodríguez popular council, Limonar municipality, Matanzas.
Melisa was also a victim of sexual assault.
The second confirmed case is that of Leysi Liettis Cascaret Casero, a 22-year-old Medical Sciences student, murdered on June 7 by her partner and the father of her baby, who was only a month and a half old.
In that case, the crime occurred in the home they shared, located in the El Manguito community, La Maya municipality, Santiago de Cuba.
Both cases -verified by the OGAT and YSTCC observatories- had been previously reported on social media and by independent media outlets.
As of July 15, organizations report 19 verified femicides this year, the murder of a man for gender-related reasons, and one attempted femicide.
The aforementioned sources also revealed that alerts are currently being verified in the provinces of Artemisa and Havana.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Increase in Violence and Femicide in Cuba
What happened in Holguín with the man arrested for femicide?
In Holguín, a man was arrested after murdering his wife and seriously injuring his stepdaughter in public, driven by personal issues. The crime was committed with a knife and caused great outrage in the local community.
How was the perpetrator of the femicide in Holguín captured?
The aggressor was captured thanks to a joint operation by the police forces of Holguín and Camagüey, with the support of the citizens. He attempted to escape, but his flight was brief and the authorities apprehended him in record time.
What is the situation of femicides in Cuba?
In Cuba, femicides are an increasing concern. In 2024, 55 femicides were recorded, and in 2025, 15 cases have already been confirmed. The lack of effective preventive measures and the need for official protocols to prevent and address gender-based violence are urgent topics on the social agenda.
What do the authorities say about violence in Cuba?
The Cuban authorities have stated that "violence will never be a dignified solution to any conflict situation" and call for common sense, dialogue, and respect as fundamental pillars of coexistence. However, the reality shows a troubling increase in domestic violence and femicides.
Filed under: