On a day that was meant for celebration, a young Cuban woman named Karla Prieto, mother to at least three children, tragically lost her life in the United States. Her husband shot her, taking her life on her birthday, October 23rd. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by her mother, Caridad Arocha, who shared the devastating event on Facebook: "Today is my daughter Karla's birthday, but today her husband killed her, shot her, and now she's gone," she lamented. Arocha expressed that Karla leaves behind several children, including a son and twin daughters around two years old, as seen in her Facebook photos.
A relative of Prieto shared their sorrow, stating, "My beautiful cousin, today should have been a day of joy, yet we must say goodbye. May God hold you in glory and ensure justice for the one who took your life. With heavy hearts, we bid you farewell on your birthday." Earlier that day, Arocha had posted a birthday message filled with pride and love for her daughter, unaware of the tragedy that would unfold.
The incident has sparked numerous reactions on social media, with many expressing condolences and outrage. Among them, actress Tahimí Alvariño, who is close to the family, wrote, "Cachita, I am so sorry!! I can't stop thinking of you. I embrace you from afar and wish you strength to face this difficult trial."
Domestic Violence: A Crisis Extending Beyond Cuban Borders
The official Federation of Cuban Women (FMC) has acknowledged that over 16,000 women and girls from 9,579 families endure violence in Cuba. Yet, as the Cuban migration crisis intensifies, it becomes increasingly challenging to determine how many Cuban women face such circumstances after emigrating. In a separate incident last August, Indira Almaguer, a 32-year-old Cuban woman, was stabbed to death by her ex-partner, Marcelino Fonseca, in Louisville, Kentucky. Similarly, in April, Yessenia Rodríguez Márquez, who had only been in the U.S. for nine months, was murdered by her boyfriend, Alexander Roque.
These incidents highlight a troubling pattern of violence against Cuban women abroad, underscoring the urgent need for increased awareness and protective measures for those in vulnerable situations.