A Cuban beauty salon alerted its followers this week about a criminal trend affecting the island: the theft of hair from women in broad daylight.
The Cuban stylist Aimée Díaz shared on Instagram the testimony of a client who was assaulted just over three months ago in Havana. In addition to taking her phone, portable charger, and other belongings, the assailants cut her hair with a knife, allegedly to sell it in the informal market.
"The worst part is that they no longer allow personal items like your cell phone or wallet. Now they're even taking your hair," reported Díaz, owner of Salón Galexa, a private beauty and hairdressing business.
The victim also works in the beauty sector. Her name is Rossy. After the traumatic episode, she waited a few months for her hair to grow to a reasonable length before getting a new cut. That is why her story is now coming to light, as she visits her trusted hairstylist.
How did the hair theft in Havana happen?
The incident occurred in Lawton, around 8:00 p.m. Rossy was walking down a street in her neighborhood when she felt someone grab her by the hair. There were at least two people, and they covered their faces with sweaters, used like masks.
"They grabbed me by the hair, dragged me down a hallway, and said 'if you scream, we will kill you.' I didn't scream, but they cut my hair and stole my phone (...) They were wearing masks and the police told me: 'How are we supposed to do anything if we don't even know who they are?'" the young woman explained.
Díaz took the opportunity to issue a public warning to Cuban women with long hair: "Take care, avoid going out alone at night, and stay very alert. The situation we are experiencing could expose us to situations we never imagined."
Long hair holds significant economic value in the Cuban informal market, where it is traded for natural hair extensions. In Santiago de Cuba, sales of hair bundles were reported for as much as 300,000 Cuban pesos at the end of 2024. Currently, the price could be higher.
The demand for natural hair has turned it into an expensive commodity that attracts interest from both those who sell it willingly and from criminals who view hair as loot.
The economic crisis has pushed many women on the island to sell their long hair braids to meet basic needs. In January 2024, a Cuban auctioned her hair on social media, rejecting an initial offer of 40,000 pesos and receiving bids of up to 65,000.
Also, Cuban mothers have turned to this means to buy food, school supplies, or baby clothes.
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