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Relatives Decry Lack of Justice Five Months After Young Man's Murder in Holguín

Wednesday, May 29, 2024 by Claire Jimenez

Relatives Decry Lack of Justice Five Months After Young Man's Murder in Holguín
Eugenio, victim of crime - Image by © Facebook

Family members of young Cuban Eugenio García Domínguez, who was brutally murdered in Holguín by a group of thieves on December 26, 2023, have issued an open letter to the authorities, condemning the lack of transparency in the investigation.

Carlos José García Domínguez, the 25-year-old's uncle, stated in a Facebook post that from the beginning, the local police acted with extreme slowness and lack of professionalism. The family itself had to locate and apprehend the alleged murderer on December 30, 2023.

The man, a resident of the Mayarí municipality in Holguín province, sent a letter to the Ministry of the Interior, the Central Investigation Directorate, and the Supreme Court of the Republic of Cuba. He recalled that the police did not actively participate in the search, leaving this task to the community, which found the body in a nearby river area with signs of extreme violence.

The confessed murderer was transferred to the provincial investigation in Holguín and then to the provincial prison, but the case remains unsolved, he emphasizes. The family demands that if more skilled professionals in Havana are available, the case should be moved there to achieve results.

Carlos José García regrets that the case has not been given the attention it deserves, highlighting the brutality of the murder, which prevented the family from having a proper wake due to the state of decomposition of Eugenio's body. He also criticizes that the trial is expected to proceed without recovering the stolen money or identifying the possible accomplices of the crime, who are believed to include at least three other young men.

Carlos José García concludes his letter by demanding harsher punishment for the confessed murderer and justice for his nephew, who was brutally killed after arranging an online deal to buy $4,000 from Yohandry Rodríguez González.

On December 26, Eugenio left with the money—1.3 million Cuban pesos—to complete the purchase. By 6:00 p.m., his family attempted to contact him, but his phone was already turned off. Immediately, the police were notified, and due to the slow response of the authorities, the young man's relatives sought community support to search for him.

Several groups initiated the search and found him lifeless on the evening of December 28 in a forested area near the Arroyo Hondo river. Eugenio’s body showed signs of violence, with beatings and sticks embedded in his abdomen. It was a brutal crime; he suffered at least four stab wounds, was beaten with pipes, and was ultimately beheaded. Since then, his family has been demanding justice.

Key Questions About Eugenio García Domínguez's Murder Case

Given the severity and complexity of Eugenio García Domínguez's murder in Holguín, here are some frequently asked questions that provide further insight into the case.

What actions have the authorities taken so far?

The authorities have transferred the confessed murderer to the provincial investigation in Holguín and then to the provincial prison. However, the case remains unsolved, leading to family frustration and demands for the case to be moved to Havana for better investigation.

Why is the family dissatisfied with the police's actions?

The family is dissatisfied because the local police acted with extreme slowness and lack of professionalism. The community had to take matters into their own hands to find Eugenio's body and apprehend the suspect.

What are the family’s main demands?

The family demands harsher punishment for the confessed murderer and justice for Eugenio. They also call for the case to be transferred to Havana if more skilled investigators are available there, and they want the stolen money and possible accomplices to be found.

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