The feeling of insecurity is creeping back into Cuban homes, even in those where only elderly people live. This time, the victim was an 87-year-old man in the province of Matanzas, whose home was assaulted while he was sleeping next to his 85-year-old wife, an incident that has sparked outrage both inside and outside the island.
The robbery took place on the night of April 13 at Central España, in the municipality of Perico. According to a report by his son, Carlos Alberto Sosa Fuentes, on social media, the thieves broke the slats of a window to enter the home without waking the elderly residents, who remained completely vulnerable during the assault.
"They felt nothing. Luckily, they didn't wake up," wrote the family member, who couldn't hide the distress over what could have happened if their parents had noticed the intrusion.
The criminals took an EcoFlow unit with two portable solar panels, a crucial resource amid the prolonged blackouts affecting the country. For this family, more than just a valuable item, it represented a minimal means to ensure electricity and basic living conditions.
What happened is not an isolated incident. Just a week prior, the home of their children's mother in the municipality of Colón had also been robbed. In both cases, those affected lost possessions they had worked hard to acquire amid scarcity.
The elderly man, a former sugar industry worker for over half a century, now survives on a pension that his family describes as insufficient, largely relying on assistance sent from abroad. The loss of this support further exacerbates his situation.
Beyond the material, what hits hardest is the feeling of vulnerability. "It's not just about money. It's about security, peace, knowing that your loved ones can sleep without fear," said the complainant, reflecting a growing concern among Cubans.
El Central España is a settlement with a history in the region, founded in 1861 and permanently closed in 2005, whose population today faces increasingly precarious living conditions, exacerbated by power outages and rising crime rates.
This robbery adds to an alarming trend of insecurity in Matanzas and throughout Cuba. According to recent data, the province recorded 2,833 verified crimes, a 115% increase compared to previous years, a figure that reflects the deterioration of public order in the country.
Cases of violence and theft are on the rise in the region. Just a few weeks ago, seven masked individuals on horseback armed with weapons raided a cooperative in another town in the province, in an incident that highlighted the increasing boldness of criminals.
The vulnerability of the elderly is particularly concerning. In another recent case, a blind retiree was assaulted while waiting in line at a bank in Cárdenas, also in Matanzas, in an attack that shocked public opinion in Cuba.
Analysts and citizens point to institutional weakness as a key factor in this deterioration. According to recent reports, 20% of the National Revolutionary Police force has left, leaving vast areas of the country with insufficient coverage to ensure the safety of its inhabitants.
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