Residents of Guanajay, in Artemisa, woke up again to the confirmation of something that has become routine in many neighborhoods across the country: nighttime thefts.
This time, the incident was captured on video.
Two men with covered faces were captured by security cameras as they stealthily entered the backyard of a home, opened the chicken coops, and made off with several animals in the early morning hours.
The report was made by the owner Leticia Vidal in the Facebook group "Revolico Guanajay".
According to what he reported, the robbery occurred in the early hours of last Wednesday and was not an isolated incident. Apparently, other houses in the neighborhood were also targeted by thieves that same night.
Leticia shared four videos where it can be clearly seen how the individuals move calmly, check the chicken coops, and carry the roosters without anyone stopping them.
In her post, she expressed indignation and exhaustion at a reality that increasingly affects hardworking and honest people.
"The Cuban people are a shame, stealing from each other; that gives much to think about. I know it has always happened, but my people, with the same courage that they have to break into a yard and steal four roosters, they should find the courage for other things," he expressed.
The neighbor mentioned that she will enhance the security measures of her home with more technology, something that not everyone can afford.
He also urged the neighbors to take care of what little they have, because today in Cuba, anything, no matter how small it may seem, has become a prize.
The theft of roosters is not a mere "minor incident."
In a country where many families raise animals to supplement their food supply or to sell in order to survive, losing four roosters can mean being left without food or a basic income. It is a direct blow to those who strive every day to get ahead amid scarcity.
In the comments on the post, other neighbors made it clear that the issue goes beyond this specific case.
A worker from a bank lamented that "with all the work you have to do," now one has to live with alarms and lights as if it were a fortress.
Another internet user pointed out that while some make sacrifices, others wait for nightfall to live off theft.
There were also criticisms regarding the lack of real consequences for criminals, who enter a private home "prepared for anything" and leave with the feeling that nothing serious will happen to them.
These types of crimes occur repeatedly because there is no effective response from the State or the Police.
The lack of police presence, impunity, and the collapse of the economy have created the perfect breeding ground for the normalization of theft. Instead of ensuring safety, the authorities appear to be absent, leaving citizens on their own, forced to protect themselves as best they can.
For honest people who work hard to make ends meet, this situation is devastating. Not only do they have to struggle against miserable wages and unaffordable prices, but they also face the constant fear that someone might break in at night and take away the little they have managed to achieve through sacrifice.
In Guanajay, as in so many other towns in Cuba, one can no longer sleep peacefully: survival is marked by keeping one eye open.
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