Father Alberto Reyes, from the Archdiocese of Camagüey, asserted that the violence in Cuba is not a phenomenon limited to the youth; rather, it is "something widespread." In statements to Martí Noticias, the priest expressed his concern about the prevailing climate of violence and tension in Cuban society following a mass brawl over the weekend at La Finca de los Monos in Havana, where six teenagers were injured, according to government statistics.
"Yes, there has been a significant increase in violence. In fact, we are worried, scared (...), we no longer go out with the same confidence as before. It is a new and very concerning phenomenon. I think the involvement of young people makes it more dramatic, but it is something widespread," Reyes emphasized.
Rising Social Indiscipline and Disorder
Reyes noted that in recent weeks, social indiscipline, violence, and disorder have surged, which is evident in the complaints seen on social media. "People are upset, and therefore, people are very irritable, very sensitive," explained the priest, who attributes this unrest to the economic crisis on the island and the lack of values in society.
"We must consider that we are the product of generations raised without values. Here, values have been cultivated by the church and those families who have maintained them through tradition, but we are not a country that has invested in educating generations in values because the only value has practically been loyalty to the political spectrum," he argued.
This Tuesday, the island reported the murder of a Cuban jeweler last Saturday in Havana, who was shot in the mouth in broad daylight. This incident is also part of the growing criminality in Cuba, where several deaths have been reported in different areas of the country over the past week. On Saturday, a mass brawl in a district of Holguín city resulted in the murder of a young Cuban. Additionally, the body of young Cuban Geyler Castillo Benítez, missing for a month in the municipality of Campechuela in Granma, was found on the coast in an advanced state of decomposition and with signs of violence, as confirmed by his family on social media.
Understanding the Rise in Violence in Cuba
Here are some common questions and answers that delve into the recent increase in violence in Cuba, as explained by Father Alberto Reyes and other sources.
What did Father Alberto Reyes say about the violence in Cuba?
Father Alberto Reyes stated that the violence in Cuba is not just a problem among the youth but a widespread issue affecting the entire society.
What events have highlighted the increase in violence recently?
Recent events include a mass brawl in Havana where six teenagers were injured, the murder of a jeweler in Havana, and the discovery of the body of Geyler Castillo Benítez, who had been missing for a month.
What does Father Reyes attribute the rising violence to?
Father Reyes attributes the rising violence to the economic crisis and a lack of inculcated values in Cuban society, emphasizing that values have largely been upheld by the church and certain families.