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The journalist Enrique Pérez Fumero, a worker at the station CMKC and a university professor, remains in serious condition but exhibits slow signs of improvement, according to reported Víctor Hugo Leyva Sojo, president of the Union of Journalists of Cuba (UPEC) in Santiago de Cuba.
His vital signs are stable and he is able to maintain "simple conversations" with the medical staff attending to him, although his progress remains uncertain.
Pérez Fumero was the victim of a brutal beating during a robbery early Sunday morning, at the intersection of Barnada and San Mateo, right in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba, just a few streets from the Moncada Barracks.
"His vital signs are stable, and he engages in simple conversations with the attending team. These are good signs, although we must always monitor his progress," Leyva wrote.
As a result, he suffered a fracture at the base of the skull and multiple facial injuries, which is why he remains hospitalized in the Neurosurgery ward of the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital.
The attack resulted in his transfer from intermediate care to intensive care following a surgical intervention.
According to reports, the attackers allegedly stole a pair of Converse shoes, a phone, and a wallet, but the journalist's family does not rule out a homophobic element in the attack, given the extreme violence with which it was carried out.
Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, a journalist from Santiago but residing in Washington, initially reported the incident and the prolonged silence of the state-run media, which avoided reporting on what happened for over 24 hours.
In Santiago de Cuba, multiple incidents of violence have been reported, including the attack on a student at a vocational school, the murder of a mother in front of her daughter, and assaults on medical personnel in hospitals.
The case of Enrique Pérez Fumero has reignited the debate on citizen security and press freedom in Cuba.
Violence and institutional silence raise concerns about the protection of communicators in hostile environments.
The aggression and the lack of an adequate official response highlight the difficulties faced by journalists on the island, where violence seems to be normalizing and authorities are not providing effective answers.
Frequently asked questions about the aggression towards journalist Enrique Pérez Fumero in Santiago de Cuba
What is the current health status of journalist Enrique Pérez Fumero?
Enrique Pérez Fumero is in serious condition, but showing slow signs of improvement. His vital signs are stable and he can engage in simple dialogues with the medical staff, although his progress is uncertain. He has undergone several transfusions due to a cerebral hemorrhage and is under close medical observation.
What happened during the attack on the journalist in Santiago de Cuba?
Enrique Pérez Fumero was the victim of a violent beating during a robbery in the historic center of Santiago de Cuba. The assailants stole a pair of Converse shoes, a phone, and a wallet. The attack was so violent that the journalist suffered a fracture at the base of the skull and multiple facial injuries. A homophobic motive for the assault is not ruled out, given its brutality.
How has the Cuban government reacted to this attack and other incidents of violence in Santiago de Cuba?
The official response has been criticized for its slowness and lack of transparency. Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, an independent journalist, denounced the prolonged silence of state media regarding the incident. On social media, the inefficiency of the Cuban public health system and the lack of medical equipment have been criticized, such as in the case of Enrique's transfer to Las Tunas due to the lack of diagnostic equipment in Santiago de Cuba. The situation reflects a concerning increase in violence in the region.
What impact has the attack had on the community and on social media?
The attack has sparked a wave of outrage and solidarity on social media, with numerous posts demanding justice and a transparent investigation. The case of Enrique Pérez Fumero has gone viral due to public pressure and reports of rising violence in Santiago de Cuba. Users have shown their support using hashtags like #FuerzaEnrique.
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