A 38-year-old Cuban mother of three daughters, two of whom are minors, was brutally murdered on Tuesday night in the city of Guantánamo, according to social media reports by journalist Yosmany Mayeta and later confirmed by feminist platforms.
The woman, identified as Aniuska Hernández Ginard, died from a dozen stab wounds allegedly inflicted by a neighbor in her own building using a machete, as revealed by Mayeta Labrada.
Hernández Ginard was married and the mother of three daughters aged 7, 12, and 20. She resided with her children and husband in apartment 78 on Carrera Larga Street in the municipality of Guantánamo.
The alleged murderer, identified by family members as Rafael Rivera Echavarría, also known as "El Niño," is a 49-year-old man who had previously served prison time for killing a woman. "He was ruthless with her; it’s unjust that such a good woman received 12 machete blows for no reason," lamented a family member in statements to Mayeta Labrada about the femicide of Aniuska Hernández.
The same source specified that the husband was not at home because he had gone to get a haircut, a moment the murderer took advantage of to enter the residence and commit the femicide in the presence of the victim’s 7-year-old daughter.
The motives behind the homicide remain unknown, and it is unclear if the victim and her assailant had previous conflicts. "So far, the only verified link between them is that they were neighbors, but we continue to investigate for the best classification of this femicide," noted the platform YoSíTeCreo in Cuba about the aggressor, whom the platform also confirmed has a criminal record for gender-based violence.
As of the close of this report, the femicide suspect remains at large.
“I can’t process any of this. I can’t believe it, leaving three girls without their mother. Many of us, her closest relatives, are far away and can’t be alongside the family. This is all very hard,” said José Ángel Rodríguez Ginard, a cousin of the murdered woman, in statements to Yosmany Mayeta.
“No one has the right to take another person’s life; there are no justifications. I only hope that the laws and divine justice take care of everything, that this crime doesn’t go unpunished,” he added, leaving a heartfelt farewell message on social media for his relative.
As of June 5, feminist platforms have verified 23 femicides, three attempted femicides, and six cases needing police investigation access in Cuba. Concurrently, they are investigating alerts in Havana, Artemisa, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba, one in each of these provinces.
Frequently Asked Questions about Femicide in Cuba
The tragic murder of Aniuska Hernández Ginard has raised numerous questions about femicide and violence against women in Cuba. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers to help shed light on this critical issue.
What is femicide?
Femicide is the act of killing a woman or girl, particularly by a man, on account of her gender. It is often rooted in misogyny and gender-based violence.
How prevalent is femicide in Cuba?
According to feminist platforms, there have been 23 verified femicides, three attempted femicides, and six cases needing police investigation access in Cuba as of June 5, 2023. Additionally, alerts are being investigated in various provinces.
What actions are being taken to address femicide in Cuba?
Feminist platforms and social activists are actively verifying cases, raising awareness, and pushing for more stringent laws and better enforcement to combat femicide and gender-based violence in Cuba.