On Sunday, two minors were caught attempting to break into apartments in the José Martí district of Santiago de Cuba. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared on social media that vigilant residents of several buildings managed to detain the children. Concerned for the safety of their community and the minors, they immediately notified the police.
While waiting for the authorities to arrive, the children were seated at the entrance of one of the buildings. When the police eventually turned up, they took the young suspects into custody to commence investigations and ensure their protection, despite their tender age.
This incident has sparked numerous questions within the community, particularly regarding the children's family circumstances. Many residents have expressed concern about the apparent absence of parental oversight, Mayeta reported.
Community's Swift Response to Intrusion
In a follow-up post, the journalist revealed that the children were discovered trying to break open the door of an apartment in the R-16 building within the José Martí district. "The kids were picking the apartment lock because the oldest among them warned that no one would be home today. We heard the noise and rushed out," recounted a building resident.
The woman further explained that the residents quickly contacted the police upon realizing what was happening. "They are now investigating, and the kids have been taken," she added.
Another neighborhood resident reached out to Mayeta to report the incident, stating, "The kids were inside the house and were caught by the neighbors themselves," and mentioned that a third child, the eldest, managed to flee the scene.
Economic Hardships Fuel Rising Crime
Cuba's ongoing economic crisis is leading to troubling situations, including a rise in criminal activity and the disturbing sight of children working on the streets to support their families financially. In June, the state-run media in Santiago de Cuba acknowledged cases of child labor, highlighting the complex socio-economic challenges currently facing the region.
Despite laws prohibiting child labor and safeguarding minors' rights, educational institutions in Santiago de Cuba, such as IPU-Cuqui Bosch and Espino Fernández Secondary School, have identified instances of child labor within their communities.
In August, the Cuban government recognized the increasing issue of children and teenagers working in Cienfuegos but shifted blame entirely onto families, avoiding accountability for the social and economic crisis affecting the nation. The official newspaper 5 de Septiembre quoted Lieutenant Colonel Marilín Cuellar Valdivia, Head of the Ministry of the Interior's Juvenile Department in Cienfuegos, who criticized the families of these children, asserting that "in most cases, it is an activity initiated by adult relatives, or at least allowed by them."