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A 69-year-old man was allegedly attacked by a police officer in Santiago de Cuba while on his way to work in the early hours of October 3rd.
The incident was reported by the independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada in a post made this Sunday on Facebook, where he identified the victim as Omar Tejeda Centilet, a resident of the area of Calle Nueva and San Francisco, in the capital municipality.
According to his account, the elderly man was attacked without apparent reason by a National Police officer who was reportedly under the influence of alcohol.
According to the report, the incident occurred around five in the morning, when Tejeda was walking along Barnada Street, completely in the dark, heading to the “Antonio Maceo” International Airport, where he works as an electrician.
He was wearing his uniform and carrying a backpack with his lunch and work tools when an unidentified man ordered him to stop.
Fearing he would be assaulted, he quickened his pace towards the corner of Aguilera, where there was public lighting, unaware that the individual was a police officer.
The agent would have ordered a dog to attack him, resulting in a bite on his leg, before pouncing on him and hitting him.
During the struggle, the victim noticed that her assailant was holding a firearm and was dressed in civilian clothes.
Even after handcuffing him, the officer continued to beat him, according to eyewitnesses quoted by the journalist.
The aggression extended to the vicinity of the Provincial Party building, where the officer—identified by neighbors as "Yurito," the group leader of the patrol in the city center—allegedly inflicted head injuries, rib fractures, and multiple bruises.
"Eyewitnesses reported that only the intervention of a person who came out from the Party building managed to stop the assault, upon seeing that the elderly man, handcuffed and bloodied, could no longer defend himself," emphasized Mayeta.
An employee from a nearby café also intervened when she recognized Omar as "a serious and hardworking man."
After the incident, the police officer allegedly attempted to cover up what happened and would have ordered the deletion of the medical records from the hospital where the patient was treated.
The family reported the disappearance of certificates for surgery, orthopedics, internal medicine, and neurosurgery, despite the injuries sustained.
According to Mayeta, Tejeda is in recovery, with stable progress, although he exhibits physical and emotional aftereffects.
Their relatives demand an immediate investigation and punishment for the implicated agent, who, according to reports, remains active in their position.
"My father is not a criminal. He was going to work. He was attacked by a police officer who was intoxicated and used a trained stray dog to assault people. We do not want silence, we want justice," declared one of his relatives to the journalist.
Recent cases of police brutality in Cuba have generated growing social rejection, especially when the victims are vulnerable citizens or in contexts of helplessness.
In Güines, a teenager was violently arrested for selling produce in a park.
Neighbors reported that the young man, an orphan known for his good behavior, was forcibly subdued by agents of the National Revolutionary Police, which has been described as harassment and abuse of power.
Similar incidents occurred in Centro Habana, where a man was assaulted after peacefully protesting against ETECSA's rates.
According to his testimony, he was taken to a police station where he was beaten in a dark room, restrained, and subjected to attempts of water suffocation.
The victim reported the abuse with medical evidence that certifies the injuries sustained.
Also in the capital, images of two officers beating an apparently unprovoked young construction worker sparked outrage.
The incident occurred in a parking lot, where the officers intercepted him after he parked his motorcycle.
Witnesses claimed that the young man did not resist and was arrested without prior explanation, while true crime remains unpunished, according to citizen reports.
In Matanzas, a man was attacked for requesting urgent medical attention for his wife. Officers beat him with batons and sprayed him with pepper spray at the Colón hospital.
Structurally, a report from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights revealed that at least 95 individuals have died at the hands of law enforcement in the last five years, including more than 40 inmates in 2024.
In addition, 287 cases of non-lethal police violence were recorded.
The document indicates that these aggressions are focused on opponents, protesters, and impoverished citizens, reflecting a pattern of systematic impunity on the part of the regime.
Frequently Asked Questions about Police Violence and Security in Santiago de Cuba
What happened to the elderly man attacked by a police officer in Santiago de Cuba?
Omar Tejeda Centilet, a 69-year-old man, was assaulted by a police officer in Santiago de Cuba while on his way to work. The assault involved punches and the use of a dog to attack him, resulting in severe injuries and fractures. The family demands justice and penalties for the involved officer, who is still active in his position.
How has the community responded to police violence in Santiago de Cuba?
The community has expressed outrage and concern over police violence. Witnesses and neighbors have intervened in situations of aggression, as in the case of Omar Tejeda, where an individual managed to stop the police aggression. The population demands justice and penalties for the responsible officers.
What role has journalist Yosmany Mayeta played in denouncing these incidents?
Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, an independent journalist, has been essential in exposing cases of violence and abuse by authorities in Santiago de Cuba. His publications have highlighted situations that might otherwise have gone unnoticed, providing a voice for the victims and their families.
What other incidents of violence have been reported recently in Santiago de Cuba?
In addition to the case of Omar Tejeda, other incidents of violence have been reported in Santiago de Cuba, such as assaults in hospitals, street violence, and confrontations between citizens and police. These events reflect a growing climate of insecurity in the city.
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