In the outskirts of Santiago de Cuba, specifically in the Santa María neighborhood, locals took matters into their own hands by apprehending a horse thief and turning him over to the police. "We managed to catch this one, but another got away with two more horses," an anonymous source reported to independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada.
Accompanying his report, the journalist shared a video clip that depicts the residents handing the criminal over to law enforcement. In the footage, a police officer is heard mentioning that they have been tracking these thieves all the way from Guantánamo.
Repeated Thefts Highlight Ongoing Issues
Earlier on Friday, residents of El Caney, another neighborhood on the outskirts of Santiago de Cuba, captured another horse thief, only for the police to release him within hours. A local recounted to Mayeta Labrada how the community had been vigilantly watching for the thieves, eventually catching one in the act of stealing a mule. Although they managed to apprehend him, his accomplices managed to flee.
Community Frustration and a Surge in Theft
There have been numerous complaints in recent weeks, indicating that more than seven horses and other animals have been stolen in the area. The ongoing thefts have left the community frustrated and feeling compelled to take action themselves, highlighting the challenges faced by residents under the current regime in addressing crime effectively.