A video circulating on social media shows a homeowner in Cuba who caught a thief in the act and decided to take justice into his own hands, in a scene that reflects the state of neglect in which the regime has left the population in the face of crime.
The images published by activist Lara Crofs, whose real name is Yamilka Lafita, show the moment when the alleged thief attempted to escape from the heights after being discovered inside the house, and another person, apparently one of the residents of the home, confronts him.
"We are a completely abandoned people by the system; there are the consequences of governmental neglect," summarizes the post, which quickly went viral among Cuban users fed up with impunity.
This type of incident frequently repeats across the island. Just weeks ago, neighbors in Guantánamo captured a thief by their own means due to the lack of response from the authorities, reflecting a pattern that is becoming increasingly common in the country.
Police inaction is another factor that pushes citizens to the brink. In Santiago de Cuba, a family reported having waited for more than ten hours without any police response after suffering a burglary in their apartment, illustrating the institutional collapse that the country is experiencing.
"People here can’t take it anymore", declared a resident regarding another similar incident that occurred in Santiago de Cuba, where a crowd was close to lynching a thief caught in the neighborhood.
Desperation has led to extreme scenes. In another documented case, neighbors caught a thief, tied him up and paraded him through the streets as a form of public reprimand, in front of a community that no longer trusts the State institutions.
The figures confirm the seriousness of the situation. According to independent data, there were 2,833 verified crimes recorded on the island during 2025, although experts warn that the actual number could be much higher due to underreporting and fear of retaliation.
The economic context exacerbates the situation. The Cuban economy contracted by 5% in 2025, accumulating a decline of 15% since 2020, which has led to a surge in poverty and, consequently, crime rates throughout the national territory.
This is compounded by the deterioration of the law enforcement forces themselves. According to recent reports, 20% of police personnel have left the force in the last year, leaving large areas of the country with virtually no security coverage, reported 14ymedio.
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