A motorcyclist in Santiago de Cuba experienced a brutal assault by an individual wielding a machete, who attempted to steal his vehicle. The incident took place on Wednesday night along Patria Avenue, near the Santa Ifigenia cemetery bridge.
According to an account given by the victim to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, he was returning home after dropping off the motorcycle's owner. While on his way, a man brandishing a machete struck part of the bike and its mirror. "Fortunately, the motorcyclist was unharmed, but he warned others to be vigilant in case such an incident occurs again," he shared on his Facebook profile.
Hundreds of people commented on the post, expressing concern over the rising insecurity in Santiago de Cuba, where criminals seem to operate freely, largely due to the ineffectiveness of law enforcement. "At this rate, it will become impossible to go out on the streets of Santiago," stated a local special school worker, urging higher authorities to take immediate action or risk being replaced.
"As long as they keep releasing these criminals, they feel entitled to steal and kill, simply because they think 'you can always get out of jail,'" noted an engineer. Another commenter remarked, "Understand that we are on our own. They can't fill prisons with inmates. How would they feed them? Maintain them? The situation has been out of control for a long time."
One observer pointed out that, "Patrol cars are parked at their base during the night; they are only active when it's about repression."