The man who murdered his ex-wife and mother of his two children, Yubisleydis Gamboa, in October 2023 in the city of Bayamo, Granma, has appealed his 30-year sentence to the Supreme Court. This appeal comes on the very day his victim would have turned 35 years old.
"Today, September 12, my dear sister would have turned 35 years old. Sadly, we couldn't celebrate this day together because of a despicable murderer who has now appealed his 30-year sentence to the Supreme Court," wrote Yoelkis Gamboa, the victim's brother, on social media this Thursday.
"Rest in peace, my little sister. May God give you light and eternal rest," Gamboa expressed in a message commemorating the young woman's anniversary.
Yubisleydis, who was a nurse at the Bayamo Children's Hospital, was fatally stabbed in broad daylight by her ex-partner, Yunier Álvarez García, on Saturday, October 21, 2023, according to a family member's testimony.
The young woman left behind two small children: a four-year-old girl and a boy who turned eight two days after his mother was taken from him.
The feminicide of Yubisleydis was reported by her cousin, Eriberto Gamboa Gamboa. In a series of Facebook posts, he recounted the family tragedy triggered by Álvarez's ruthless actions, highlighting how he showed no remorse in "taking the life of the mother of his two youngest children."
"What right does anyone have to take another person's life? Bad husband, bad father, bad son. What can society expect from such a monster?" he questioned. "What kind of human being, being the father of these two babies, can blind the lives of his children by making them suffer the loss of their mother like this?"
Eriberto lamented in his writings that the children will have to grow up "like a ship adrift without direction or captain, without their mother's love because their father decided to take her life at just 34 years old. She, my dear cousin, a beautiful young nurse by profession, your light has gone out today, my girl."
The victim's cousin also identified the murderer, who resided in the town of Jabaquito in Bayamo, and published a photo of his face.
"If there is true human justice and divine justice, let this heartless and soulless man pay for such an abhorrent crime," he implored. "May this human being be given the death penalty."
Eriberto also called for justice for all victims who, like her, have been targets of physical abuse and horrific crimes. "Justice for all women at the hands of criminal, ruthless, and inhumane murderers."
The murder of Yubisleydis Gamboa was one of the 89 feminicides recorded in 2023 by independent Cuban platforms.
According to the underreporting by gender violence observatories YoSíTeCreo in Cuba and Alas Tensas, there have been 35 feminicides in Cuba in 2024 so far, along with three attempts. Additionally, six possible cases remain unresolved, pending police investigation access.
In late August, the official Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) admitted that more than 16,000 women and girls from 9,579 families are living in situations of violence.
Days earlier, the organization acknowledged an increase in feminicides—though it refuses to use that term, preferring "femicides"—following the pandemic. The FMC noted that it is working with the General Prosecutor's Office to implement an "interoperable administrative registry" that will allow for real-time tracking, monitoring, and information on gender-based violence.
FAQs on the Appeal of Bayamo Murder Case
In light of the recent appeal by the murderer of Yubisleydis Gamboa, many questions have arisen regarding the case and the broader issue of gender-based violence in Cuba. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
What was the original sentence for Yunier Álvarez García?
Yunier Álvarez García was originally sentenced to 30 years in prison for the murder of Yubisleydis Gamboa.
Why did Yunier Álvarez García appeal his sentence?
Yunier Álvarez García appealed his sentence to the Supreme Court, although the specific grounds for his appeal have not been publicly disclosed.
How many feminicides were recorded in Cuba in 2023?
There were 89 feminicides recorded in Cuba in 2023 by independent platforms.
What steps is the Federation of Cuban Women taking to address gender-based violence?
The Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) is working with the General Prosecutor's Office to implement an "interoperable administrative registry" for real-time tracking, monitoring, and information on gender-based violence.