The police apprehended a man in the municipality of Frank País, Holguín, for butchering a horse in the living room of his home. The pro-government profile Cazador-Cazado identified the arrested individual on Facebook as Odayner Gainza Siló.
Content Warning: This article contains graphic descriptions of animal violence that may be disturbing to some readers. Viewer discretion is advised.
The cited source reported that the animal was slaughtered right in that spot. The pro-government profile also mentioned that another citizen, named Osvaldo Guzmán Leyva, was detained in the same municipality. Guzmán was found with beef from an animal he had butchered on his own farm.
Economic Hardship Fuels Illegal Meat Market
The economic crisis has driven the informal meat market, leading some individuals to resort to illegal measures to meet their needs. Last June, the government of Guantánamo acknowledged that at least 23 cattle thefts and slaughters occurred within a 24-hour period. These incidents indicate a sustained increase in such crimes in the region, adding to other thefts and social indiscipline that affect both the population and the local economy.
However, an even worse situation was reported in Las Tunas, where up to 29 slaughters were reported on average in a single day. In the first four months of this year alone, 1,954 crimes related to the theft and slaughter of 3,480 heads of cattle and horses were recorded. These violations were detected in 341 agricultural units in the province, according to Periódico26.cu.
FAQs on Animal Slaughter and Illegal Meat Market in Cuba
Here we address some common questions about the alarming rise in animal slaughter and the illegal meat market in Cuba, particularly focusing on the incidents in Frank País and surrounding regions.
Why are people butchering animals in their homes in Cuba?
The severe economic crisis in Cuba has driven many to desperate measures, including illegal butchering, to meet their basic needs for meat.
What actions are the authorities taking against illegal animal slaughter?
Authorities are increasing their monitoring and enforcement efforts, resulting in multiple arrests and the detection of thousands of such crimes.
How prevalent is animal theft and slaughter in Cuba?
The problem is widespread, with thousands of cases reported annually. For example, in just the first four months of this year, nearly 2,000 related crimes were recorded.