The Cuban police and residents of the José Martí District in Santiago de Cuba have successfully apprehended a man accused of rape, publicly confronted by his alleged victims. According to local reporter Yosmany Mayeta, the arrest was preceded by a confrontation between the suspect and a woman claiming to be one of his victims.
A video circulating on social media shows the moment a woman confronts the man, saying, “I will never forget your face.” In an outburst of anger, the victim strikes the alleged perpetrator multiple times as authorities handcuff him. In the background, the person recording the video asserts that the man had raped the same woman.
Although many details about the suspect's identity and the exact circumstances remain unconfirmed, the incident sparked a wave of reactions among the neighbors who took to the streets to witness the arrest.
Alarming Rise in Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
Gender-based violence in Cuba has surged alarmingly. Feminist platforms reported on Friday that the number of femicides this year has risen to 34, verifying the deaths of Saimy Hernández in the province of Mayabeque and Linda Nay Flores Vargas, whose body was discovered in a Havana landfill a few weeks ago.
Saimy Hernández, around 40 years old and a mother of several children, was killed by her partner on August 13 in a public area in the town of Güines, Mayabeque. In the case of Linda Nay Flores Vargas, 34, her body was found in a Havana landfill on July 12. The investigation revealed that her partner committed the crime.
At the end of July, the Cuban government established a national system for the registration, attention, follow-up, and monitoring of gender-based violence incidents within the family setting, as announced in a Council of Ministers meeting. A report by the state-run newspaper Granma mentioned that the system comprises “25 experts” from the Ministry of the Interior and the Supreme People's Court. Its objective is to develop “a computerized and interoperable administrative registry, utilizing these institutions' platforms for managing criminal processes.”
The Attorney General of the Republic, Yamila Peña Ojeda, indicated that the main utility of this tracking system is to serve as a database, providing statistical information for the prevention of gender-based violence.
FAQs on Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
Given the concerning rise in gender-based violence in Cuba, it is crucial to address common questions and provide clear answers to the public.
What measures is the Cuban government taking to combat gender-based violence?
The Cuban government has established a national system for the registration, attention, follow-up, and monitoring of gender-based violence incidents. This system involves experts from the Ministry of the Interior and the Supreme People's Court and aims to develop a computerized and interoperable administrative registry.
How many femicides have been reported in Cuba this year?
Feminist platforms have reported 34 femicides this year, highlighting a significant increase in gender-based violence across the island.
Who are some of the recent victims of femicide in Cuba?
Recent victims include Saimy Hernández from Mayabeque and Linda Nay Flores Vargas, whose body was found in a Havana landfill. Both cases involved the victims' partners as the perpetrators.