Santiago de Cuba: thief caught and paraded tied up through the streets

A young man was caught trying to steal a cow on the grounds of the former Salvador Rosales sugar mill, known as Algodonal, in Santiago de Cuba. He was subdued by the neighbors and, with his hands tied, was forced to walk behind a cart pulled by a horse.

The route passed through several streets of the community belonging to the municipality of Songo-La Maya, aiming to publicly expose it. The event was intended for the neighbors to recognize it and as a warning to those who might consider repeating the offense, reported independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook profile.

The episode reflects the lack of patrolling in rural areas of Santiago de Cuba, where people end up taking on functions that belong to the government.

In the midst of the food crisis, livestock has become a frequent target for criminals, leaving communities to fend for themselves.

Cuban farmers report that the theft and slaughter of livestock remains rampant in the countryside of the island, severely impacting agricultural economics and food security.

The increase in cases of theft and slaughter of livestock in Cuba keeps owners in despair. The rise in slaughterhouses in rural areas leaves farmers unable to sleep, awake watching over their animals and at risk of becoming victims of thieves themselves.

Despite the efforts announced by the government, livestock farmers and peasants maintain that the theft of cattle and the subsequent illegal sale of meat has become an almost impunity practice, especially in provinces with high livestock activity such as Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila, reported the official media Cubadebate.

The increase in crime in Cuba is closely linked to the economic crisis, where the lack of resources and the ineffectiveness of the authorities have weakened public safety and led to a rise in thefts and minor offenses that directly impact the citizens.

On this Saturday, it was reported that a cattle ranch manager and his brother were arrested, following accusations of illegally slaughtering two horses from the livestock unit El Corojal, in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, in the province of Holguín.

Days ago, a group of 10 men, horseback riding, hooded and armed, raided a cooperative in Limoncito, in the municipality of Cacocum, Holguín, and forcibly took nearly 60 heads of cattle.

The incident, worthy of an American Western film, took place at the Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) in the area and involved the kidnapping of several employees and guards, who were released several kilometers away.

The men acted with total impunity. Among the attackers was a fugitive from justice. This assault has instilled fear among the residents of the area, who worry about their safety and that of their property.

In August, in an unusual criminal incident that occurred in the José Martí District of Santiago de Cuba, two young men were assaulted and robbed of their horse-drawn carriage, along with the animal.

At the beginning of the month, in the Santiago town of El Cristo, a hooded man wearing gloves stole a horse during the early morning hours, with no reports from the Police so far about whether an investigation has been initiated, despite the fact that the incident was captured by a security camera and immediately reported by the victims.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crime and Security in Cuba