A young Cuban woman in the Dominican Republic reported being a victim of a mugging while walking in the university area of Santo Domingo, in a video posted on TikTok that has elicited mixed reactions.
"This is a video that, as a Cuban living in the Dominican Republic, I never thought I would make, but here comes the story time of how I was mugged in Santo Domingo," began the user @stephaniew032.
According to his account, the events occurred during the day while he was heading to a nearby pharmacy. “It was daylight; I didn't see any problem because in the university area, anyone who knows Santo Domingo knows that everyone walks there, and there are many students, a lot, a lot of young people walking,” he explained.
The young woman assured that she was dressed simply, without visible clothing or flashy valuables. “A polo, as they call it here, a sweater as we call it, pants, I mean, nothing ostentatious. I didn't have any chains, rings, jewelry, nothing,” she detailed.
At the moment of crossing a street, a motorist who was coming at a slow speed yielded the right of way. “I saw the motorist coming, but he was going very slowly down the street, which surprised me a bit... so I crossed, and he passed behind me and snatched my purse,” she recounted.
The struggle was brief but left a strong impression on him: “The bag burst open... everyone tells me it was for the best because otherwise, I would have been dragged along with the bag and everything... thank God nothing physical happened.”
In her purse, she carried her personal documents, cards, and a cell phone that she used for work. "Can you imagine? I had all my things there... for a foreigner, they know how important documents are... especially since I work with them," she commented.
He explained that he had been absent from social media for more than a week due to the incident, and that the video was a response to those who had asked about his digital disappearance. “I made this video because many were asking what was happening with me... so anyway, take care, be cautious because things are tough,” he concluded.
In the comments on the video, some people shared similar experiences or expressed concern. "I am Cuban, and today I thought something like this was going to happen to me; it was all very, very strange," wrote one user. Others downplayed the incident: "I lived almost my whole life in the Dominican Republic (38 years) and was never robbed."
This testimony adds to other videos of Cubans in the Dominican Republic that have sparked debate on social media about the migratory experience in that country. Recently, a young woman identified as @cubana_en_rd published a video stating that one of the aspects that has affected her the most since her arrival is security. “I believe that the main thing that has affected me since I arrived here in the country is security”, she stated.
In fact, her testimony went viral weeks ago when she shared how she managed to emigrate to the Dominican Republic after graduating from medical school in Cuba and explained that she is not currently practicing the profession.
According to data from the National Open Data Portal, Cubans lead the list of naturalized foreigners in the Dominican Republic from 2019 to 2024, with 309 recorded cases, which reflects an increasing presence of this community on the Caribbean island.
Frequently asked questions about insecurity and experiences of Cubans in the Dominican Republic
What was the robbery that the young Cuban experienced in Santo Domingo like?
The young Cuban was the victim of a robbery while walking through the university area of Santo Domingo. A motorcyclist who initially yielded the way approached her from behind and snatched her purse, leaving her with a strong impression although she was not physically harmed. In the purse, she had personal documents, cards, and an important cellphone for her job.
What security measures can foreigners take in the Dominican Republic to avoid theft?
It is advisable for foreigners in the Dominican Republic to be cautious and avoid displaying valuable items in public. It is also recommended to remain vigilant at all times, especially in crowded areas, and to share experiences with the community to stay informed about the safest areas. Furthermore, carrying only essential belongings and opting for safe transportation can help reduce risks.
What is the perception of security among Cubans residing in the Dominican Republic?
The perception of safety is a concern among Cubans in the Dominican Republic. Many share experiences of insecurity and theft, leading to debates on social media about safety in the country. While some downplay the risks, others share precautionary measures and seek to raise awareness about the need to stay vigilant.
How does insecurity affect the migratory experience of Cubans in the Dominican Republic?
Insecurity is one of the main challenges for Cubans emigrating to the Dominican Republic. A pesar de las oportunidades y la comunidad creciente de cubanos en la isla, las experiencias de robos y la percepción de inseguridad afectan su calidad de vida y generan una constante sensación de alerta. Esto se refleja en testimonios y debates en redes sociales donde comparten sus vivencias y medidas de prevención.
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