The perpetrator of the femicide of a nurse in the municipality of Taguasco, Sancti Spíritus, has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the provincial court, nearly a year and a half after committing the crime, local press reported.
On the morning of February 28, 2023, Liván Reinaldo Mora Pérez, 48, known as "El Lento," fatally stabbed Vanelys Macola Sierra, 37, a mother of one, in her home in the locality of Tuinucú.
According to the official newspaper Escambray, the court decided to punish the accused as "the perpetrator of a consummated murder, to perpetual deprivation of liberty, which he is currently serving in a penitentiary of the Ministry of the Interior," in addition to paying 2,500 pesos to the victim's minor son.
Background and Crime Details
The newspaper stated that Mora, "who had spent part of his life in prison due to various criminal acts," established a romantic relationship in 2022 with a woman living in the same town. Due to numerous disagreements and violent arguments, she decided to end the relationship.
A year later, after the couple had separated, "the grim prediction of the victim's family came true," although it is unclear if Macola or any of her relatives had previously reported Mora for gender-based violence.
In the early hours of February 28, the man "hid in the darkness of the backyard of his ex-partner's home until around six in the morning, he entered the house without her consent. After a failed attempt to restore their relationship, he drew a concealed knife and chased her, delivering multiple stabs and ending her life."
After committing the crime, Mora fled and was on the run for several days, but police finally arrested him on the morning of March 4.
Escambray detailed the extensive criminal history of the murderer, who had been imprisoned numerous times between 1992 and 2020. Mora had been sentenced to five years in prison in 1999 for attempted homicide and had also been incarcerated for robbery with force, theft, disturbances in penitentiary establishments, escape of prisoners or detainees, and resistance.
The report noted that "from a very young age, he maintained a maladjusted social behavior, had poor relationships with his family and neighbors, frequently consumed alcoholic beverages, and disturbed public order." Additionally, at the time of committing the crime against Macola, "he had no employment ties."
Moreover, it specified that in a ruling issued this year, the Supreme People's Court declared the Appeal filed by the accused against the verdict of the First Criminal Chamber of the Popular Provincial Court of Sancti Spíritus in 2023 to be unfounded.
The femicide against Macola was one of the 89 recorded by observatories and independent media last year, but it is among the few that the official Cuban press has made public.
In March, the official program "Hacemos Cuba" reported the sentencing of five Cubans to life imprisonment for the murder of women, in addition to two sentenced to 40 years in prison for the same crime, which the current Penal Code does not classify as femicide.
According to the underreporting carried out by independent feminist platforms, as of June 18 this year, 28 femicides had occurred in Cuba. Subsequently, the deaths of two other women in the province of Holguín were reported, allegedly due to gender-based violence.
Understanding the Legal and Social Context of Femicide in Cuba
This section aims to address common questions and provide deeper insights into the legal and social implications of femicide in Cuba.
What is the legal definition of femicide in Cuba?
Currently, the Cuban Penal Code does not specifically classify femicide as a separate crime. However, murders of women often fall under general homicide laws.
How many femicides were recorded in Cuba last year?
Independent observatories and media reported 89 femicides in Cuba last year.
What actions are being taken to address femicide in Cuba?
While some cases have been reported by the official press, comprehensive legal reforms and societal changes are needed to effectively combat femicide.