A new transphobic attack shook Havana on Tuesday night. A group of trans women was violently assaulted near the Ciudad Deportiva, an incident that left injuries and once again highlighted the impunity surrounding that community in Cuba.
The activist Adelth Bonne Gamboa reported on social media that the attack occurred on October 1, around 10:45 p.m., when several men rushed at the women and began throwing objects at them with the intent of causing as much harm as possible.
In a video shared on Facebook, we see “Bombón”, one of the victims, with a bloodied head after being hit by a stone, which necessitated her urgent transfer to the Clínico de 26 hospital for medical attention.
"It’s not the first time."
Bonne warned that this incident is not isolated, but rather part of a pattern of transphobic violence that repeats itself over and over in that area of the capital. “A few days ago, another trans woman was assaulted in a similar manner. How long will this continue? Until someone is killed?” she questioned.
The complaint also points directly to the attitude of the police, which is accused of turning a blind eye while these assaults multiply. “They do not patrol, do not intervene, do not protect anyone. But when it comes to picking up and arresting trans women, they are quick to act. Are there resources for that?” wrote the activist.
Violence and impunity
The case is reminiscent of other incidents that have occurred in recent years on the island. In June 2023, six trans women were stoned in Cárdenas, Matanzas, and in November of the same year, the trans woman Roxana Suárez was critically injured after being attacked with a sharp weapon in that same city.
Despite the seriousness of the events, reports from activists and organizations like YoSíTeCreo en Cuba have coincided in highlighting the lack of effective legal mechanisms to protect the trans community and penalize hate crimes.
"Transfeminicide and violence against trans women in Cuba are not isolated cases; they are the expression of a system that persecutes, marginalizes, and leaves them in absolute defenselessness," this platform recently denounced.
"This cannot continue."
Bonne was emphatic in describing what happened at Ciudad Deportiva as hatred in its most extreme form. “We are not talking about a ‘corner brawl’; we are talking about transphobia. It is hatred. It is violence. It is impunity,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, the trans community in Cuba is once again living in fear of being exposed to new attacks without the State guaranteeing their protection.
Frequently Asked Questions about Violence Against the Trans Community in Cuba
What happened in the attack on transgender women in Havana?
A group of transgender women was violently attacked in the vicinity of the Sports City of Havana, leaving injuries and highlighting the impunity that surrounds this community in Cuba.
What is the response of the authorities to transphobic violence in Cuba?
The reports indicate a passive attitude from the police, who neither patrol nor intervene effectively to protect the trans community, despite the increasing violence against them.
Are there legal mechanisms in Cuba to protect the trans community?
Despite some legal reforms, there are no effective legal mechanisms in Cuba to protect the trans community or to properly penalize hate crimes.
What other incidents of violence against the trans community have occurred in Cuba?
In 2023, six trans women were stoned in Cárdenas, Matanzas, and in another incident, a young trans person was seriously injured after being attacked with a sharp weapon. These incidents reflect an ongoing pattern of transphobic violence in Cuba.
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