Justice on the street! Neighbors catch and tie up an alleged thief in Santiago de Cuba

A young man identified as Edrey Copello, 26 years old and a resident of Calle 12 de Chicharrones, was captured on Monday by neighbors in Reparto Sueño, Santiago de Cuba, while he was allegedly trying to snatch belongings from a person in broad daylight.

The report was shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada through his Facebook profile, where he provided details of the incident that took place on Calle 2da, between Garzón and K, and questioned the increase in criminal acts in the city.

Witnesses claim that Copello is known in the area for previous thefts.

“That boy has stolen here in his own neighborhood; people already have him figured out,” declared a neighbor quoted by the journalist.

This time, several residents intervened, subdued him to the ground, and tied him up to prevent his escape.

This time, several residents intervened, brought him down to the ground, and tied him up to prevent his escape, in what can be considered another act of desperation in the face of rising insecurity, where people take justice into their own hands.

The young man was later taken by a motorcycle patrol, emphasized Mayeta, who pointed out that this is not an isolated case, but rather a reflection of a desperate citizenry facing a lack of security.

"People no longer wait for anyone, because they know that no one will come to save them," he wrote.

And he closed his post with a question that summarizes the tension in the neighborhoods of the city: "How long will the neighborhoods of Santiago have to take justice into their own hands?"

This incident adds to another violent event recently reported in Santiago de Cuba, where journalist and Doctor of Science Enrique Pérez Fumero, a worker at the official station CMKC, was brutally assaulted during a robbery that took place in the early hours of Sunday.

The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the intersection of Barnada and San Mateo, in the heart of the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, just a few blocks from the Moncada Barracks, a symbol of the official narrative.

The victim is hospitalized in the Neurosurgery department of Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital, with a fracture at the base of the skull and multiple fractures in the face.

The capture of Copello by residents of Reparto Sueño adds to a series of acts of vigilante justice that have become increasingly common in Santiago de Cuba.

In May, several residents apprehended a thief in the heart of the city, restraining him while they waited for the authorities, amidst applause from those who witnessed the event.

Days earlier, a thief was caught inside a home by the residents of the neighborhood, who prevented his escape after catching him in the act. Images of the incident circulated widely on social media.

Similar incidents also occurred a few weeks ago: a young thief was apprehended by neighbors after attempting to snatch a purse from a woman, while in February another individual was cornered and subdued by local residents, fed up with the constant thefts in the neighborhood.

This pattern of civic response has been recurring since last year, when neighbors tied up an alleged thief after a chase, keeping him restrained until the police arrived.

Months later, a crowd beat and handed over another criminal after accusing him of violent theft. These events reflect a collective frustration and an increasing distrust in the authorities' ability to protect citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions about Insecurity and Vigilante Justice in Santiago de Cuba