A man was caught on security cameras stealing a cellphone in a Havana café, in a scene that has sadly become a common occurrence in the daily life of the Cuban capital.
The images, shared on Facebook by the user Mayito Pérez, show the individual entering the establishment with apparent ease, money in hand, as if he were just another customer.
The place was empty at that moment: no clerk behind the counter, just the wooden tables and the hum of the fan buzzing.
The man surveys the area with his eyes, peering in and assessing. After several seconds of hesitation, his gaze settles on a cell phone that is still charging behind the counter. He makes sure that no one sees him, springs into action with agility, climbs over the counter, and with a quick motion, unplugs the phone and escapes the scene.
The complainant posted the videos from different angles and offered a reward of 10,000 pesos to anyone who provides information that leads to the responsible party. “You can message me anytime, 24/7,” Pérez wrote, clearly outraged.
The post was also shared in the Facebook group Tienda Carlos III, which could indicate that the establishment is located in that area or that the person reporting is trying to extend the reach of their alert among neighbors in the region.
In recent months, social media has become the primary channel for reporting the rising wave of thefts and assaults in Havana, within a context marked by economic crisis and distrust in the police response.
Recent cases of thefts within homes, stabbings and thefts of electric motorcycles indicate a troubling trend: people are turning to the Internet first rather than to the authorities, driven by frustration and fear.
The comments surrounding the video reflect that mix of indignation, helplessness, and exhaustion felt by many people in Havana. “This happens every day and no one does anything,” wrote one user. “Even small businesses are defenseless,” replied another.
The robbery at the café is a new postcard of the social decay that permeates the Cuban streets: the struggle for survival has turned crime into a visible symptom of a deeper crisis, where security, trust, and hope also seem to be objects at risk of theft.
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