A Cuban mother of two children, a girl and a boy, was murdered this Saturday, allegedly by her partner, in the municipality of Bejucal, located in the province of Mayabeque. This incident was reported on social media and confirmed by sources close to the woman.
The victim, identified as Liset Quesada Romero, was stabbed and her throat was slashed by her partner, as revealed in a post by the Facebook group Denunciando Crímenes en Cuba. Quesada Romero was originally from the province of Ciego de Ávila but lived with her children in Mayabeque.
The father of the two children resides outside of Cuba. Crime reporter Niover Licea stated that the alleged attacker attempted to take his own life with the same knife used in the crime but failed. According to sources, the man is currently hospitalized under police custody and will be incarcerated once he recovers.
Licea also reported that the children are temporarily in the care of their paternal grandmother while arrangements are made for them to join their father.
Friends, neighbors, and acquaintances of the deceased woman have expressed their shock and grief over this tragedy on social media. This incident could potentially become the 26th confirmed femicide of the year in Cuba.
Earlier this week, platforms reported two additional femicides, highlighting the urgent need for effective protection systems and shelters for at-risk victims. These incidents brought the number of women killed due to gender-based violence in Cuba to 25 so far this year.
Recent Femicides in Cuba
The first incident occurred on May 18 in the Barrio Obrero neighborhood of San Miguel del Padrón, Havana. On that day, a 32-year-old woman identified as Cindy Samanthy González Espinosa (Samy) was murdered at a friend's house, where she had sought refuge from her ex-partner, who had a history of gender-based violence.
The second femicide involved Katia Ortiz Figueredo, a 25-year-old mother of two, who was killed on the street in the city of Las Tunas on June 5. She also died at the hands of her ex-partner, who had previously abused her.
Furthermore, investigations are ongoing for four other alerts in Havana, Artemisa, Camagüey, and Santiago de Cuba.
The platform YoSíTeCreo en Cuba and the Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas have emphasized the importance of the Cuban government declaring a "state of emergency for gender violence" and advocating for a comprehensive law against gender-based violence, as femicide is not currently classified in the island's Penal Code.
On March 8, Miguel Díaz-Canel stated that convictions for gender-based murders in Cuba have tripled in 2023 compared to 2022, rising from 18 to 61. Despite acknowledging that gender-based violence "appears with regrettable frequency," Díaz-Canel claimed that the "enemies of the revolution," whom he did not name, "conveniently and tendentiously manipulate" the figures.
Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
Given the alarming rise in gender-based violence cases in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and answers to provide more insight into the issue.
What is the current situation of gender-based violence in Cuba?
Gender-based violence in Cuba has seen a significant increase, with confirmed femicides rising to 26 so far this year. This highlights the urgent need for effective protection systems and legal reforms.
What measures are being called for to combat gender-based violence?
Advocates are urging the Cuban government to declare a state of emergency for gender violence and to enact a comprehensive law against gender-based violence, as femicide is not currently recognized in the Penal Code.
How has the Cuban government responded to the rise in femicides?
Miguel Díaz-Canel has acknowledged the increase in gender-based murders, stating that convictions have tripled in 2023 compared to 2022. However, he also claimed that the figures are being manipulated by the "enemies of the revolution."