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Three new cases of femicide shock Cuban society, following the confirmation of the murders of women in Matanzas, Granma, and Holguín, all allegedly perpetrated by partners or ex-partners, as confirmed by the newspaper Martí Noticias.
With these crimes, the number of women murdered due to violence against women in 2025 has risen to 30, as reported by journalist Yoanda Huerga in the newspaper article.
The first incident occurred on August 28 in Cueto, Holguín, where Damaris Ricardo Martínez, 48 years old, was found dead with a cut on her throat and a severe head trauma.
According to the investigations, her husband, Roberto Ricardo Sánchez is alleged to have committed the crime after discovering that she was planning to leave him.
After striking her with a hammer and cutting her throat with a machete, the attacker took his own life. The couple had no children, but their tumultuous relationship was known in the community.
Another feminicide was reported in the locality of Carlos Rojas, Jovellanos (Matanzas), on August 25. There, Daily Villa Ortiz, 24 years old, was stabbed by her assailant, her partner, Daniel González Ortiz, in front of their six-year-old daughter.
The wounds to the heart caused him a fatal arrhythmia. The attacker was apprehended shortly after the crime.
The third case dates back to July 29 in Rafael Freyre, Holguín, where the life of Yolennis Rojas Rojas, 32 years old, was taken by her husband, an older man than her.
The victim died from hypovolemic shock due to severe blood loss. The attacker was arrested and is being held in custody at the provincial investigative unit, sources close to the victim confirmed to Huerga.
Independent organizations such as the Gender Observatory Alas Tensas (OGAT) and I Do Believe You in Cuba have warned about the brutality of these murders, some of which involve extreme levels of violence such as slitting throats or decapitations.
“We are seeing an increase in crimes with alarming brutality, which reveal a pattern of punishment and control over the victims,” explained researcher Ileana Álvarez, director of OGAT, to Martí Noticias.
The observatories emphasize that femicides in Cuba continue to rise, leaving families and communities engulfed in pain and impunity.
Femicides in Cuba leave many children in situations of extreme vulnerability. The children of the victims often become orphans and lack adequate protection from the State, which highlights a lack of public policies to address these indirect victims of gender-based violence.
The Cuban government does not officially recognize the term "femicide" and has not classified it as a crime in its Penal Code. This denial hinders the development of effective public policies to address and prevent gender-based violence.
Frequently Asked Questions about Feminicides in Cuba
What is a feminicide and why is it important to recognize it in Cuba?
A feminicide is the murder of a woman for gender-related reasons, typically committed by current or former partners. It is important to acknowledge this in Cuba because the lack of official recognition of the term hinders the development of effective public policies to address and prevent gender-based violence, leaving victims without adequate protection and perpetuating impunity.
What is the current situation of femicides in Cuba in 2025?
In 2025, the number of femicides in Cuba has alarmingly increased, with 30 cases recorded by September. Independent organizations have verified these cases despite the lack of official statistics and the Cuban government's denial of recognizing the term "femicide", reflecting a severe crisis of gender-based violence in the country.
How does the lack of recognition of femicides affect protection policies in Cuba?
The lack of recognition of femicides in Cuba hinders the implementation of effective public policies for the protection of women and the prevention of gender-based violence. Without official recognition, appropriate programs are not developed to support victims and their families, leaving many individuals in situations of extreme vulnerability without the necessary attention.
What role do independent organizations play in raising awareness of femicides in Cuba?
Independent organizations such as Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and the Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas play a crucial role in documenting and verifying cases of femicide. These organizations work to raise awareness of gender-based violence in Cuba, pressuring the government to implement effective policies and providing support to victims. Their work is vital to breaking the institutional silence and demanding justice.
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