Judgment handed down for sabotage against driver who collided with a bus multiple times in Matanzas

The Provincial People's Tribunal of Havana sentenced Yuni Valdés Pérez to 10 years of imprisonment for the crime of sabotage after being involved in a traffic incident with a state bus in the city of Cárdenas, Matanzas.

According to an official note published by the People's Supreme Court, the events occurred on May 5, 2025, when Valdés Pérez, driver of a tow truck (escatolina) belonging to the Cuban company Cubacar Varadero, left his vehicle parked in the middle of a public road, obstructing traffic. Subsequently, he went to consume alcoholic beverages at a nearby location, until he was found to be visibly intoxicated.

The situation led to a confrontation with the driver of a Yutong bus belonging to the Transmetro Company of Cárdenas, who requested him to clear the road. Both engaged in a heated argument, exchanging offensive remarks and threats with blunt objects, as detailed in the ruling.

Immediately afterward, and in a state of agitation, the accused got back into his vehicle and backed up violently to hit the state bus. He repeated the maneuver at a higher speed, causing significant damage to the bus, which to this day has not been repaired.

In the early days following the incident, the official press reported that the driver faced charges of public disorder and property damage. However, the accusation evolved into a more serious crime related to state security, resulting in a conviction for sabotage.

The court considered as aggravating factors the harmfulness of the act, the impact on state property, and the prior conduct of the accused. To impose the sentence, it relied on the provisions of the Opinion No. 475 of the Council of Government of the People's Supreme Court.

The sentence was handed down on Thursday, September 18 by the Crimes Against State Security Chamber, which has jurisdiction over cases affecting state security in the western part of the country.

Both the accused and the Prosecutor's Office have the right to file a cassation appeal, which will be resolved by the corresponding chamber of the Supreme People's Court.