A resident of Baracoa, Guantánamo, publicly denounced on Tuesday the alarming increase in crime in this rural area, asserting that the National Police fails to take effective action to stop it. According to a post by Senia Rodríguez Reyes on Facebook, her primary concern is the constant slaughter of horses, a problem that seems to have no solution despite repeated complaints from those affected.
She recounted that three days ago, her family fell victim to this situation when their horse was stolen and later found as a skeleton in a nearby river. Despite filing a report, authorities did not act immediately and only arrived at the scene two days after the incident, making it difficult to trace the criminals.
"The police do nothing, and the thieves are from here, not from China or Japan," the Cuban woman expressed indignantly, suggesting that if officers conducted a proper investigation, the culprits could be found.
Rising Crime and Public Response
In Guantánamo, a thief was caught in the act by a private home's security camera, while in the same area, a young man offered a reward of 40,000 pesos on social media on Monday for anyone who finds and returns his missing mare in the province of Guantánamo.
Recently, it was revealed that farmers in the popular council of Las Casimbas, in the municipality of Calixto García, Holguín, decided to take matters into their own hands and patrol the area to curb a rising wave of thefts, mainly of livestock. In response to the insecurity, an integrated community surveillance exercise was carried out, which included the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), whose forces have not been able to resolve the situation.
In May, Las Tunas was the Cuban territory with the highest incidence of cattle and horse theft and slaughter. In the first four months of this year alone, 1,954 crimes related to the theft and slaughter of 3,480 head of cattle and horses were recorded. The infractions were detected in 341 agricultural sector units in the province, according to Periódico26.cu.
Frequently Asked Questions about Crime in Guantánamo
Given the rising crime rates in rural Guantánamo, many residents have questions about the situation and the response from authorities. Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers.
What types of crimes are most common in rural Guantánamo?
The most common crimes include the theft and slaughter of livestock, particularly horses and cattle.
Why are the authorities not taking effective action?
Residents claim that the National Police are not responding promptly or adequately to reports of crime, making it difficult to trace and apprehend the perpetrators.
How are the local communities responding to the crime wave?
Some local communities, such as those in Las Casimbas, have taken matters into their own hands by organizing patrols to curb theft and increase security.