Related videos:
The independent platforms Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and the Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas (OGAT) confirmed on July 25 two new femicides in Cuba, as well as an attempted femicide that left a minor severely injured.
With these murders, the number of cases recorded so far in 2025 rises to 21, according to the underreporting conducted by both observatories.
The victims were Yailín Requejo Miranda, 41 years old, murdered in Holguín, and Yailín Carrasco Pérez, 29 years old, in Cienfuegos.
In both cases, the attackers were their partners, and at least three minors were affected: one was seriously injured and two others witnessed the crimes.
Two brutal crimes in front of minors
Yailín Requejo Miranda was murdered by her husband in broad daylight, in the Cruce del Coco neighborhood.
The man stabbed her and, amidst the chaos, attacked the woman's teenage daughter, who sustained serious injuries and remains hospitalized. Her other child, a minor, also witnessed the incident.
The aggressor fled but was captured days later during a joint police operation.
In an unprecedented event, the official media Cubadebate referred to the crime as a "femicide," marking the first time that the state press has used the term to describe a gender-based murder that took place on the Island.
The second femicide occurred on July 22, when Yailín Carrasco Pérez was beheaded by her partner in the Pastorita neighborhood of the city of Cienfuegos.
The murder occurred around 6:30 am, when the young woman was with one of her daughters.
The girl's screams alerted the neighbors: "They killed my mom!" the six-year-old reportedly shouted after witnessing the attack, according to testimonies cited by the pro-government outlet Las Cosas de Fernanda.
The murderer was arrested. However, the case sparked particular outrage due to a serious allegation: according to the activist Saúl Manuel, the assailant was a fugitive prisoner.
If this information is confirmed, it would not only be a case of gender-based violence but also an alarming institutional negligence that allowed a dangerous criminal to roam free and commit murder.
Recognizing the term "feminicide" is not enough
Despite this specific acknowledgment, activists believe that it is not a change in direction by the Cuban state, but rather a strategy for image laundering in response to increasing international pressure and civil society.
Until now, the regime has systematically refused to acknowledge the existence of femicides in the country.
Last March, Miguel Díaz-Canel stated during the Congress of the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC): "We can categorically affirm here that this is a media construct entirely disconnected from Cuban reality."
These words contrast with the reality documented by feminist collectives, which have verified over 50 murders for gender-related reasons in recent years.
The official denial not only perpetuates silence but also hinders the development of effective public policies to address this violence.
The use of euphemisms like "crimes of passion" or "domestic violence" by state-run media reveals a political will to downplay and depoliticize machismo violence, diminishing its structural nature and absolving the State of responsibility.
Injured minors, orphans, and unprotected
One of the most distressing aspects of these cases is the situation of the minors involved. Sons and daughters who witnessed the murders of their mothers or were seriously injured, like the adolescent attacked in Holguín.
According to Alas Tensas, children are indirect victims of femicides and lack specific programs for care and reparations from the government.
So far, there has been no report of any state support for the families of the victims or for the surviving minors. There have also been no mechanisms activated for psychological or legal assistance, which reflects a complete absence of gender-sensitive public policies.
Independent feminism: the only real support
The verification and reporting of these crimes has only been possible thanks to the coordinated efforts between OGAT and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba, independent feminist platforms that have taken on the task of documenting, verifying, and raising awareness about femicides in the face of the state's complicit silence.
Both organizations warned that they are investigating new possible cases in Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Camagüey, suggesting that the number of murders could continue to rise in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the Cuban regime prefers to deny rather than take action.
Instead of implementing structural measures, protecting victims, or applying prevention and care protocols, it criminalizes feminist activism and censors the citizen efforts demanding justice.
The pain caused by the death of Yailín Carrasco and Yailín Requejo cannot and should not be buried under institutional silence.
The Cuban State has an unavoidable responsibility: to recognize femicide as a specific crime, to adopt clear legislation, and to ensure resources to prevent, penalize, and eradicate it.
Otherwise, it will continue to be part of the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide in Cuba
What are feminicides in Cuba?
Femicides in Cuba are murders of women based on gender, typically committed by their partners or ex-partners. Although the Cuban government does not officially acknowledge the term, independent organizations such as Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and the Gender Observatory Alas Tensas have documented numerous cases in recent years, highlighting the lack of recognition and action from the Cuban state.
How does the situation affect the minors involved in femicides in Cuba?
Minors who witness femicides or become orphans due to these crimes lack specific support and reparations programs from the Cuban government. In recent cases, the lack of state support for the families of victims and the absence of psychological and legal support mechanisms for surviving minors has been evident.
Why is the Cuban government criticized in relation to femicides?
The criticism of the Cuban government lies in its systematic denial of acknowledging the existence of femicides and in the lack of implementation of effective public policies to address gender-based violence. Furthermore, the use of terms like "passion crime" minimizes the seriousness of these acts and dilutes their structural nature, diminishing the state's responsibility to protect women.
What is the role of independent feminist platforms in Cuba?
Independent feminist platforms in Cuba, such as Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and Alas Tensas, play a crucial role in the verification, documentation, and visibility of femicides in the country. These organizations work to raise awareness about new cases, advocate for public policies, and demand that the Cuban government acknowledge and address gender-based violence.
Filed under: