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The Cuban Randy Calderón, known by the nickname "El Gorila," was found dead with signs of extreme violence at the Paso del Medio camping site in the province of Matanzas, according to information spread this week on social media and confirmed by acquaintances of the victim.
The victim was approximately 35 years old and worked as the head of security at the very campground where he was attacked, according to information gathered by journalist Niover Licea.
Born in 1989 in the La Marina neighborhood of Matanzas city, Calderón was known in several neighborhoods throughout the province.
At another point in his life, he worked as a custodian and bodyguard associated with the environment of Cuban baseball player Víctor Mesa, a legend of national baseball who managed the Matanzas team "Los Cocodrilos" for more than a decade.
According to acquaintances, he had recently lost his mother and had no children or close family.
Unofficial sources also indicate that he may have been involved in a homicide in the past, for which he would have served a sentence, although this information has not been officially confirmed.
Those who knew him described him as a physically large man with a noble character.
"Those who knew him understood that his size did not reflect the size of his heart," wrote someone close to him on social media.
The alleged attacker and the circumstances of the assault
Unofficial sources gathered by Niover Licea identified the alleged aggressor, known by the alias "Tito," who reportedly has a criminal record and a history of conflicts with other individuals.
The initial reports suggest that the attack occurred unexpectedly.
As of this Wednesday, no official authority has confirmed the identity of the assailant or their legal status.
The pain of those who knew him
Social media was flooded with farewell messages following the news.
Lisneydi Mesa wrote: “Rest in peace, my brother, you have no idea how much pain your loss brings, my brother Randy Calderón. Your tata, as I used to call you, will miss you dearly.”
Eider Montalvo published: “My heart is shattered into pieces, my brother. Today Matanzas mourns for you, and you will always be present in the hearts and memories of the people who love you. Now you are with your pure one. Rest in peace, my blood.”
A crime that reflects the growing violence in Cuba
The case occurs in a context of sustained increase in crime in Cuba, especially pronounced since 2023.
The Cuban Observatory for Citizen Audit recorded 2,833 verified crimes in 2025, an increase of 115% compared to 2024 and 337% compared to 2023.
Matanzas is one of the provinces most affected: in the first half of 2025, it recorded 503 cases of theft, the highest number in the country.
So far in 2026, the province has been the scene of several homicides, including the crime of Yuliesvi Mato in Unión de Reyes on April 6 and the murder of a 23-year-old young mother in Jagüey Grande on April 13.
This Wednesday, it was also reported about the arrest of a suspect in a crime in Cárdenas, highlighting the frequency with which Matanzas features in reports of violence.
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