Related videos:
The city of Cárdenas, Matanzas, is once again dressing in mourning after the violent murder of a 34-year-old young man affectionately known as Carlitos, who was attacked by a man who, according to neighbors and acquaintances, was on parole.
The crime has sparked a wave of outrage and sadness among residents, who mourn not only the loss of a loved one but also the increasing sense of insecurity that has taken hold of the streets.
The incident occurred just a few days shy of the one-month mark since another murder in the municipality, which has caused dismay in a city where violence seems to be multiplying under the indifferent gaze of the authorities.
On social media, friends and former childhood companions of the young man have expressed their pain and frustration, remembering him as a cheerful, hardworking person who was well-loved by everyone.
"Carlitos arrived at the orphanage in Cárdenas when he was just five years old, along with his sister Yanelis," wrote his friend Christian Arboláez on Facebook.
"He was a lively boy, always smiling, who won the affection of everyone. Today, his departure leaves an unfillable void."
The wake, as reported by witnesses, was an event of profound sorrow. Former caregivers, housemates, and close friends came to bid farewell, amid tears and embraces.
"That family that doesn't share blood but does share their heart is in mourning today," wrote Arboláez.
According to reports, the young man was a victim of a violent incident that has shaken the city.
"A man - who, according to reports, was on probation - attacked him mercilessly and is still free today. Carlitos tried to defend himself, fought for his life, and although the doctors did everything they could, he was unable to survive," he recounted.
The case has rekindled the debate about the lack of control and the impunity that prevail in the Cuban justice system, where there are many offenders who, despite their criminal records, regain their freedom after serving minimal sentences or through extrajudicial licenses.
Citizens, weary of insecurity, are reporting that the police forces are ineffective and that many times crimes remain unresolved or without real punishment.
Neighbors of the victim are demanding justice and questioning how it is possible for someone with a history of violent behavior to return to the streets without effective oversight.
"How long is this going to last? What is happening in Cárdenas? Why does the police only wait for someone to shout 'Homeland and Life' before hitting the streets? The people need them to take urgent action! People cannot continue to die and so many assaults cannot keep happening, for God's sake!" commented a resident of Cárdenas.
The victim's sister, who lives outside of Cuba, expressed her sorrow for the loss and for the son that Carlitos leaves behind, a small child who will now grow up without his father.
"Nobody deserves an ending like that, and no one should live in fear of history repeating itself," Arboláez wrote in another message in the group "Cardenenses on Facebook."
Cárdenas, a city struck by economic crisis and social decay, has become -as one user described on social media- a disaster.
"Every day we are regressing further; the love for our neighbors has been lost, and respect for life has disappeared," another lamented.
The death of Carlitos not only leaves an open wound among those who knew him, but it also symbolizes the failure of a judicial system that neither protects the innocent nor manages to keep the violent at bay.
Meanwhile, the neighbors are asking for something as basic as it is just: that this time there be neither silence nor forgetfulness.
"Because Carlitos was not just another young man, he was part of a family that continues to grieve for him and will never forget him. I hope he is the last name we have to say through tears," lamented his close friend.
SECOND MURDER IN CÁRDENAS IN LESS THAN A MONTH
On October 20th, Carlos Laferte, 61 years old and an employee at a café in Cárdenas, was stabbed multiple times by an 18-year-old.
Despite knowing self-defense, he was unable to protect himself from the attack and passed away.
"Carlos was not just the owner of a café. He was the cheerful voice of the neighborhood, the confident greeting, the noble man with good values who knew how to listen and give advice," revealed Christian Arboláez on Facebook.
"The entire neighborhood is in mourning. His neighbors, his friends, his family… they all grieve for him. They say that people like him cannot be replaced because they leave a mark. Today, not just a man died. A symbol of community, kindness, and respect has passed away," he assured.
Days later, a young man identified as Dayfred Rizo Noda Herrera was arrested and charged with the crime.
According to a report on Facebook by the official profile "Con Todos La Victoria," associated with the police authorities of Matanzas, the victim worked as a clerk at the Churri-Churri bar, located on Calvo and 28 Avenue, where he attempted to intervene in an altercation involving Noda.
In response, the young man reportedly reacted violently and attacked him with a knife, causing a chest wound that led to his death shortly thereafter in the municipal hospital.
The alleged assailant, who has no employment connection, will be prosecuted for the crimes of murder and illegal possession of a knife, the publication specified.
The case had previously been reported on social media by neighbors and acquaintances, who identified the victim as Carlos Laferte and presented him as the owner of a café in Cárdenas.
However, the official version later circulated described him as an employee of the aforementioned bar.
Filed under: