The Vice President of Cuba's Supreme Court, Maricela Sosa Ravelo, told the British broadcaster BBC that the alleged security problems on the island are being blown out of proportion by social media. She attributed this narrative, as is typical in government rhetoric, to smear campaigns orchestrated from the United States.
Sosa Ravelo's comments, described by the BBC as "rare" due to the usual secrecy of the Cuban regime, were part of a report where two other citizens shared their views on safety in the country, highlighting a stark contrast between the public's perception and the authorities' stance.
"In my 30 years as a judge and magistrate, I don't believe the Cuban people lack trust in their authorities," she asserted. She also argued that "in Cuba, the police have a high success rate in solving crimes. We don't see people taking the law into their own hands—as happens in other parts of Latin America—which suggests that the population trusts the Cuban justice system."
Public Concerns on the Rise
However, the reality seems to diverge significantly from the official narrative. Social media has become a platform for Cubans to voice their grievances and express their sense of abandonment by government officials and the police, especially as economic conditions worsen. An example of this is a recent incident in Santiago de Cuba.
Crimes like murders, robberies, and assaults, even in broad daylight, are frequent complaints among Cubans who no longer feel the "reigning" security that once existed on the island.
Government Admits to Rising Issues
In April this year, the regime itself acknowledged the rise in drug consumption in the country, specifically mentioning the harm caused by "químico," a cheap and increasingly popular drug affecting younger people.
Similarly, in June, the government had to recognize the surge in violence, including the use of firearms, further alarming the population.
Authorities' Perspective
According to the Cuban leadership, as expressed by Colonel Eddy Sierra Arias, head of the National Revolutionary Police, criminal activities are linked to several factors, including smuggling from abroad, drug trafficking, and the movement of both national and foreign citizens, which negatively impacts the country's security.
The facts are clear: complaints are being made, and the graphic evidence circulating on social media supports the Cuban people's demands for greater protection. The growing gap between the government and the citizens is increasingly evident.