A Cuban journalist has taken to social media to criticize the lenient sanctions imposed on criminals who commit violent crimes in Cuba. In her opinion, these penalties are far too light. Iraida Calzadilla, a professor of Journalism at the University of Havana, questions why murderers are not given the maximum sentence or, at the very least, 30 to 40 years in prison.
"They are given 25 years of imprisonment, considering a series of mitigating factors, as if the crime had any justifications, as if taking a life could ever be justified," she wrote on her Facebook page.
Iraida revealed that she speaks from a place of pain, as her family also suffered a murder in the past. For this reason, she calls for the maximum penalty in such cases and urges the justice system to act swiftly when the evidence is irrefutable.
"No one has the right to devastate a family," she emphasized.
"Murderers who don't even get 30 years. They receive 25, which turns into 15 for 'good behavior.' They are granted conjugal visits and other benefits. No one can deny what I'm saying. I know it well and can prove it," she asserted.
The retired journalist also criticized the lawyers who defend these criminals and seek to lessen their guilt, describing them as "confessed murderers who have taken a life and left a family in ruins."
Calzadilla highlighted that those who endure the tragedy of losing a loved one must live with a deep, never-ending pain in their souls.
Justice Demands Severe Sentences
"I demand justice. Severe justice in trials where the facts are proven. Where the act of horror is confirmed, the act of killing and brutally attacking, despite the desperate pleas from the victims for their lives. We must consider all the brutality that preceded each attack," she noted.
"I ask for a just sentence. And for murderers, a just sentence cannot be less than 30 years, with no reductions for so-called 'good behavior.' In their prison, they can breathe, live, and even love. The dead do not return. They— the murderers— decided that their victims would not breathe, live, or love again. They decided they would not return," she concluded.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuban Judicial System and Sentencing
Given the critical stance of Iraida Calzadilla on the lenient sentences for murderers in Cuba, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
What are the current penalties for murder in Cuba?
Currently, murder sentences in Cuba can range from 15 to 25 years, with possibilities for reductions based on good behavior or other mitigating factors.
Why is Iraida Calzadilla advocating for harsher penalties?
Iraida Calzadilla believes that the current penalties are too lenient and do not adequately serve justice for the victims and their families. She argues that a minimum of 30 years without reductions would be more appropriate.
Are there any proposed changes to the sentencing laws in Cuba?
As of now, there have been no official proposals to change the sentencing laws in Cuba, but public outcry and advocacy by figures like Iraida Calzadilla could influence future legislative actions.