Young man who lost a hand in a confrontation with thieves in the streets of Havana has been discharged from the hospital

A young man known as Pedrito, a resident of Reparto Eléctrico in Havana, was discharged from the hospital yesterday after 18 days of treatment due to serious injuries he sustained while defending two young individuals from a street robbery, including the loss of a hand.

The news was shared in the Facebook group "Gentes del Reparto Eléctrico" by a neighbor identified as Susuky Vilanova: "Thank God, after being hospitalized for 18 days, Pedrito, who defended the two boys from whom someone was trying to take their phones on 5th Street, is now discharged. Friends, neighbors, and others can visit him at home."

The incident occurred on 5th Street in the Eléctrico neighborhood of Arroyo Naranjo municipality, in the south of Havana, when Pedrito intervened to prevent some thieves from snatching cell phones from two young people.

During the confrontation, the young man lost a hand, an injury confirmed by several neighbors in the comments of the post. "God bless this boy who lost a limb in the exchange and the trauma he suffered; a true hero, strength and blessings," wrote Alian Tamayo Moj.

The photo accompanying the discharge announcement shows Pedrito sitting on a hospital bed with a bandage on his right hand, wearing a white t-shirt and a cap, with a serene expression.

The post sparked an avalanche of reactions from neighbors, friends, and strangers who expressed admiration for his bravery. "How sad it is that for something material, someone would lose something as valuable as a hand. Blessings to you, Pedrito, stay strong," lamented one internet user.

Various comments also highlighted the lack of police response. "And the police are just having a snack," wrote one user, while another Cuban stated, "Poor thing, look at what they did to him. The laws need to change."

The case of Pedrito is not isolated. In January 2024, gang members cut off the right hand of David Enrique Perdomo Álvarez, a 26-year-old lineman from the Electric Company in Santiago de Cuba. That young man responded with courage: "I am alive and I will move forward".

Violent phone robberies have become one of the most common crimes in Havana. In January 2025, 21-year-old Yoandri Giménez was stabbed to death inCentro Habana while being robbed of his phone. In February of the same year, a young man on military service met the same fate in the capital.

The crime figures in Cuba reflect an escalating public safety crisis. According to the Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audits, in 2025 there were 2,833 verified crimes across the island, a 115% increase compared to 2024. Thefts topped the statistics with 1,536 cases, a rise of 479% since 2023, and Havana was the third most affected province with 398 recorded crimes.