Residents of the Sevillano neighborhood in Diez de Octubre, Havana, apprehended a thief who had broken into several houses in broad daylight, according to a citizen report. The individual was caught by local residents who decided to take matters into their own hands and assaulted him, as evidenced by photos posted on Facebook.
"Thief caught on Jorge, between Gertrudis and Continental. Inside the houses," posted a user identified as Iyawo Oshun. The photos show a man around 40 years old sitting on the pavement with a swollen eye and a bloody nose, surrounded by several people apparently preventing his escape.
Several comments praised the action of the residents, citing the increase in crime and the weak response from authorities to curb the growing wave of thefts and assaults in the country, which often have fatal outcomes.
"Justice needs to be served on this criminal who robs others without any sensitivity. Someone who breaks into a house is ready for anything," remarked a woman.
Others were less optimistic: "Now they'll release him in two days, and he will continue stealing."
Some justified the violence against thieves as a deterrent. "They gave him a good punch in the face, which is swollen. That's good so he learns not to steal and to work honestly," warned a young woman.
The surge of robberies, assaults, and violent crimes in Cuba has left the population on edge, fearful of social insecurity. While these criminal acts resonate on social media, the official press remains silent, only speaking out in highly notable cases. One such instance was the brutal murder of four people—a child, a teenager, and their mothers—during a robbery at a house in Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila, at the end of August.
Understanding the Rise in Crime in Cuba
In light of the increasing crime rates, it is important to address some common questions regarding safety and security in Cuba.
Why are residents taking matters into their own hands?
Residents are taking action themselves due to perceived inadequacies in the response from local authorities to handle the rising crime rates effectively.
What is the government's stance on the increasing crime rates?
The government has largely remained silent on the issue, with official media only addressing crimes in highly notable cases.
How are social media platforms playing a role in these incidents?
Social media platforms are becoming a key outlet for citizens to report and share information about crimes, given the lack of coverage by official media.