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A new tragedy due to gender-based violence shook Havana on Sunday.
A woman identified as "Kenia," the mother of a seven-year-old girl and a resident of the Luyanó neighborhood in the municipality of Diez de Octubre, was allegedly murdered by her partner, who supposedly threw her from the rooftop of their home on Rodríguez Street.
The crime, confirmed by the independent portal 14ymedio based on neighborhood testimonies, would be the 22nd femicide recorded in Cuba so far in 2025, according to a preliminary count by independent observatories.
Kenia lived in conditions of extreme poverty. Her neighbors remember her as a petite woman, "who didn't weigh even 100 pounds," dedicated to selling or begging to survive.
“The woman was very poor, she didn't even have clothes. She lived by selling and begging,” stated a resident to the mentioned media outlet.
Another neighbor described her as a regular presence on the neighborhood streets, moving from door to door in search of help. The testimonies gathered by independent press reveal a consistent pattern of prolonged violence.
“The man is an alcoholic and was constantly hitting her. They say the woman had been enduring abuse for years until today, when he killed her,” declared a neighbor.
The crime occurred after a new argument.
The argument is said to have started on Saturday night and continued the next morning, with "more threats and harassment,” explained a neighbor.
According to reports, Kenia ran to hide on the roof of her house, desperate to escape. However, the attacker followed her there and, in a brutal act, threw her into the void.
Although the killer tried to take Kenia to the hospital after the incident, it was already too late. The police arrested him shortly afterward, but there is still fear in the neighborhood that he might be released.
The concern is shared by several witnesses, who highlighted the violent history of the detainee and the institutional silence that often surrounds these cases.
So far, independent platforms that document gender violence in Cuba, such as YoSíTeCreo en Cuba and the Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas, have not officially confirmed the femicide, although the case is already widely circulating on social media and digital outlets.
The lack of official recognition and the absence of effective public policies to protect women in situations of violence remain a constant issue.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide in Cuba
What happened with Kenya in Havana?
Kenia, a woman from Havana, was thrown from the rooftop of her home by her partner, resulting in her death. This tragic event has been identified as the 22nd femicide in Cuba in 2025, according to independent observatories. The crime occurred following a dispute, and the aggressor was arrested by the police shortly thereafter.
How is gender violence being addressed in Cuba?
In Cuba, gender violence and femicides are not officially recognized by the government. The Cuban regime has not classified femicide as a crime in the current Penal Code. Independent feminist platforms such as Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and Alas Tensas are responsible for documenting and highlighting these crimes, as the government does not provide official statistics or adopt effective policies to address gender violence.
What is the situation of femicides in Cuba during 2025?
Until now, at least 22 femicides have been reported in Cuba in 2025, according to underreporting by independent organizations. The cases continue to rise, and feminist platforms warn that there are new alerts in several provinces across the country. The lack of official recognition and the absence of effective public policies remain a serious issue.
What challenges do feminist platforms face in Cuba?
Feminist platforms in Cuba face numerous challenges, such as the difficulty in verifying crimes due to communication issues and a lack of institutional support. The documentation of femicides is often hindered by power outages and technological disconnection, as well as by censorship and repression of feminist activism.
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