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The Cuban Yaimée Carrazana Herrera, 32 years old, died after being attacked by her ex-partner on Tuesday in the streets of Santa Clara, Villa Clara.
The tragic event was reported on social media by the Gender Observatory Alas Tensas (OGAT) and the feminist platform I Believe You in Cuba (YSTCC).
The crime raises the number of verified femicides to seven on the island so far in 2026, according to the joint record of the observatories of both organizations as of February 26.
In a joint statement, the two organizations expressed their sorrow that the victim's oldest son was with her at the time of the fatal assault, and that he “witnessed the terrible attack that resulted in his mother's death”, prompting them to call for him to receive specialized support for his recovery.
They also sent condolences to Yaimée's two minor children who survive her, as they had no connection to the aggressor, as well as to her relatives and loved ones.
According to the updated report, in 2026, two attempts of femicide and one murder of a man for gender-related reasons have also been recorded.
The organizations are also investigating three possible attempts at femicide and two reported femicides this year.
As for 2025, eleven possible femicides, four attempts at femicide, and one murder of a man for gender-related reasons remain pending confirmation.
"CITIZENSHIP, REPORTING THESE CRIMES IS NOT A CRIME," the platforms emphasized in their public message.
They have identified the alleged aggressor and provided details of the attack
The independent reporter Niover Licea later informed that the alleged culprit was identified as Yonel Jaramillo Herrera.
According to his details, Yaimée was violently attacked in the Martiano Forest area, on the stretch of the bypass between the highway and the road to Camajuaní, while she was heading to her workplace.
After the attack, she was urgently transferred to the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital, where she died due to the severity of her injuries.
According to that update, her 14-year-old son was accompanying her at that moment, which confirms that the minor witnessed the attack.
Licea also reported that the alleged attacker was apprehended by authorities following the incident.
How did femicides behave in Cuba in 2025?
According to data collected by the agency EFE based on records from Alas Tensas and YSTCC, at least 46 gender-based murders occurred in Cuba in 2025.
An analysis based on these figures indicates that 81% of the aggressors were partners of the murdered women, and five of the femin killers had prior criminal records or had been previously reported by the victim before committing the crime.
Activists have reiterated the need to pass comprehensive legislation against gender violence, establish shelters for at-risk women, implement effective protection protocols, and ensure transparent official data.
They have also requested the declaration of a state of emergency due to gender-based violence on the Island.
The Cuban Penal Code does not classify femicide as a specific offense and official media rarely report these cases or use that term, despite the government's discussions of "zero tolerance" towards violence against women.
Authorities have reported that in 2024, the courts identified a total of 76 women killed by their partners, ex-partners, or other individuals during trials, while in 2023, there were 110 victims of gender-based violence.
Additionally, a national system for registering and monitoring gender-based violence was approved, and the campaign “No more” was launched, focusing on prevention.
The death of Yaimée Carrazana Herrera once again brings to the forefront the ongoing issue of gender-based violence in Cuba and the lack of comprehensive protection mechanisms for women in vulnerable situations.
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