An inspector from the Municipal Inspection Directorate in Las Tunas was assaulted by a vendor while attempting to issue a fine, according to the Council of Administration in the area.
The official report from the organization states that the inspector, identified as Manuel Vilches García, was conducting a routine check on a self-employed worker in the Popular Council 2 of the main municipality when he uncovered several violations. The report further explains that the vendor reacted angrily to the inspector's demands and attacked him with a knife.
"The inspector, who was accompanied by another control authority, was immediately assisted and received medical attention," the report notes. The inspector's life is not in danger, it adds, and the assailant has been detained and "is currently being prosecuted for the crime committed."
Local residents quickly intervened and condemned the act. The swift and decisive actions of the Revolutionary National Police were also praised, as they managed to arrest and transport the attacker promptly.
Since the last session of the National Assembly of People's Power in July, the Cuban government has intensified its surveillance of self-employed workers to prevent price hikes on their products. Last month, the government of Las Tunas shut down 12 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (mipymes) for violating the resolution that temporarily regulates maximum retail prices for six high-demand basic products.
The state-run Periódico 26 reported that "in those 12 establishments, the stocked goods that were not being sold were forcibly put on sale." Meanwhile, violence levels in Cuba have been on the rise, with almost daily reports of murders, stabbings, or street fights creating an atmosphere of insecurity that was not present five years ago.
Understanding the Recent Knife Attack on an Inspector in Las Tunas
In light of the recent knife attack on an inspector in Las Tunas, several pertinent questions arise regarding the incident and its broader implications. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What triggered the knife attack on the inspector?
The attack was triggered when the inspector, Manuel Vilches García, attempted to issue a fine to a self-employed vendor for various violations.
Is the inspector's life in danger after the attack?
No, the inspector's life is not in danger. He received immediate medical attention and is recovering.
What actions were taken against the attacker?
The attacker was detained by the Revolutionary National Police and is currently being prosecuted for the crime committed.
Why has the Cuban government increased surveillance on self-employed workers?
The government has increased surveillance to prevent price hikes on essential products by self-employed workers.