The alleged perpetrators behind the death of Gilberto Laffita, a physical education teacher who was murdered in the early hours of August 30 near his home during an attempted robbery in the city of Holguín, have been apprehended, according to the officialist Facebook page Cazador-Cazado.
The source revealed that the killers were captured within just 48 hours and identified them as Michel Ramírez Tamayo, Jonathan Alberto Tejeda Sánchez, and Luis Miguel Peña Díaz. Cazador-Cazado explained that the victim was accustomed to going out in the early morning to the cafeteria "El Regente" on Avenida Los Libertadores to chat with the security guard there.
On the night of the crime, Laffita had gone to buy milk and, upon returning home—very close to the cafeteria—he was intercepted by individuals who threatened him with a knife, forcing him into his house to steal his belongings. After struggling with the assailants, Laffita was stabbed in the back and died. Despite the efforts of both the security guard and neighbors, the culprits managed to escape initially.
The official source boasted that the authorities' response "was swift." The first to be arrested was Michel Ramírez Tamayo, followed hours later by the capture of the other two suspects: Jonathan Alberto Tejeda Sánchez and Luis Miguel Peña Díaz.
Cazador-Cazado took the opportunity to dissociate the tragedy from the ongoing local festivities. "Do not be swayed by sensationalism that tries to paint a wave of violence (in fact, this was the only incident of this type and it was not related to the festivities). What should prevail is the trust that there will never be impunity," they concluded.
In the comments section, in addition to celebrating the capture of the suspects, many netizens pointed out that, despite the incident not being related to the festivities, it is undeniable that violence is on the rise in Cuba, particularly in Holguín, one of the provinces reporting the most violent incidents. Although the official source did not name the victim, several commentators confirmed that the deceased was Gilberto Laffita, a beloved physical education teacher whose death has shocked his friends and students.
Laffita, who lived in the Peralta neighborhood, had worked as a physical education teacher at the José Martí Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences (IPVCE), the Raúl Gómez García Elementary School of Art, and the Holguín Technical Institute (ITH), and he also sold water near his residence.
"With much sadness, I bring you devastating news. I just received a call that our beloved physical education teacher Gilberto Laffita, whom we affectionately called Laffita, was murdered in his garden early this morning," wrote Yudixander Sotto on social media. "For those who studied in the 1994-2000 era, you will remember him."
Another post in the Facebook group "Revolico Holguín" indicated that the alleged killers were detained that same day, corroborating the information provided by Cazador-Cazado.
Key Details About the Arrest and Murder in Holguín
To provide more context and clarity about the recent events in Holguín, here are some frequently asked questions and answers.
Who was Gilberto Laffita?
Gilberto Laffita was a well-loved physical education teacher in Holguín, known for his work at various educational institutions, including the José Martí Vocational Pre-University Institute of Exact Sciences and the Holguín Technical Institute.
When and where did the murder occur?
The murder took place in the early hours of August 30, near Laffita's home in Holguín, Cuba.
How quickly were the suspects arrested?
The suspects were captured within 48 hours of the crime, according to the officialist Facebook page Cazador-Cazado.
What was the motive behind the murder?
The murder occurred during an attempted robbery. The perpetrators threatened Laffita with a knife and forced him into his home to steal his belongings.