In El Cristo, a town belonging to Santiago de Cuba, a hooded man wearing gloves stole a horse in the early hours of Saturday, with no information yet from the police about whether an investigation has been launched, despite the incident being captured by a security camera and reported immediately by the victims.
The robbery occurred in the Habana neighborhood and was carried out with evident planning: the thief covered his face to avoid being recognized, which has led the neighbors to suspect that he is someone from the same area, familiar with the surroundings and the movements of the household.
The owners of the animal, moved by the sentimental value the horse has for the family, are offering a reward of 50,000 Cuban pesos to anyone who provides accurate information regarding the whereabouts of the horse or the identity of the responsible party, as indicated in the report shared on their Facebook profile by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
In the absence of an institutional response, they have also shared a WhatsApp number to receive information with complete anonymity.
As the community shares images and organizes on social media to recover the horse, the lack of action from the authorities once again highlights an increasingly widespread reality in Cuba: people are left alone in the face of crime.
“Today it was a horse, tomorrow it could be something of yours,” warns the message accompanying the public complaint.
Comments on social media reflect a mix of anger, helplessness, and resignation. "The authorities only have a mind for those who protest and not for social security," wrote a user.
Others claimed that similar cases end with the animals being sacrificed and sold, while the thieves remain free and the police demand witnesses that no one can provide in the early hours of the morning.
Impunity not only leaves people unprotected but also drives many to despair. The accumulated frustration from the thefts of farmers, the lack of official response, and the increasing insecurity have led some citizens to publicly express their exhaustion with a legal system that, they claim, protects criminals more than their victims.
Cuban farmers report that the theft and slaughter of livestock remains unchecked in the fields of the island, severely impacting the agricultural economy and food security.
Despite the efforts announced by the government, cattle ranchers and farmers assert that the theft of livestock and the subsequent illegal sale of meat has become an almost unchecked practice, especially in provinces with high cattle activity such as Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila, as reported by the official media Cubadebate.
In Manzanillo, the Police arrested four individuals after slaughtering someone else's bull in the Cayo Espino area, as part of a series of operations by Minint in various municipalities of Granma, reported the official newspaper La Demajagua.
Weeks ago, in the village of Uñas in the municipality of Gibara, in the province of Holguín, a butcher, after consuming large amounts of alcohol, stole a chestnut horse belonging to a neighbor. He took the animal to his mother's house, where he proceeded to slaughter it.
However, the effects of alcohol were such that, once the violent act was finished, he fell asleep on top of the animal's body. It was in that position that the authorities found and detained him.
Furthermore, another Cuban was jailed after being
In April, the People's Municipal Court of San Antonio del Sur, in Guantánamo, issued a sentence of three years of imprisonment against a man accused of stealing two horses, earlier this year, on a farm in the Sabanalamar Playa neighborhood.
Such events occur in a context of increasing public concern about the rise in common crime in various areas of the country, particularly violent thefts, assaults, and daylight thefts.
This type of incident has reignited the debate on public safety in Cuba, where many citizens express feeling increasingly vulnerable to the impunity of criminals.
The Cuban regime has acknowledged a , including the use of firearms. In this regard, it has promised to implement exemplary trials against those who commit serious offenses, especially those occurring within state institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity and Horse Theft in Cuba
What happened with the horse theft in Santiago de Cuba?
In El Cristo, Santiago de Cuba, a hooded man stole a horse during the early hours, an incident captured by a security camera. The horse's owners are offering a reward of 50,000 Cuban pesos for its recovery, given its sentimental value. The community has come together to gather information, but the Police have not yet initiated a formal investigation.
What actions are citizens taking in response to police inefficiency in Cuba?
Amid rising crime and the lack of police response, Cuban citizens are taking justice into their own hands. Multiple cases have been reported where neighbors capture and hand over criminals to the authorities, reflecting frustration and desperation in the face of official inaction.
How does cattle theft impact the economy and food security in Cuba?
The theft and slaughter of livestock remain uncontrolled in Cuba, severely impacting the agricultural economy and food security. Cattle ranchers report that the theft of cattle has become an almost unpunished practice, especially in provinces with high livestock activity, which fuels the black market and increases food insecurity.
What is the perception of the Cuban population regarding public safety?
Many Cuban citizens feel an increasing vulnerability to crime and the impunity of criminals. The lack of effective action from the authorities has led the population to distrust the justice system and feel compelled to take matters into their own hands. This situation creates an atmosphere of frustration and desperation that is reflected in numerous public complaints and acts of neighborhood justice.
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