In a significant development, Cuban authorities have apprehended Ridelkis Guilarte Castillo, infamously known as "Jicarita," as the prime suspect in the horrific murder of 30-year-old Daynilis Lobaina Torrell. The tragic incident took place in the Maisí municipality of Guantánamo. Family members of the victim confirmed the news to CiberCuba, demanding justice and calling for the death penalty for the perpetrator.
Daynilis met her untimely death last Sunday at her residence, suffering 36 machete wounds, as reported by our source. The alleged murderer not only committed this heinous act with premeditation but also inflicted severe injuries on the woman's uncle, who remains hospitalized. A cousin of the victim sustained less severe injuries.
Alarming Intentions and Community Outcry
According to those close to the family, Guilarte had sinister plans to target the two daughters of the deceased, aged 14 and 9, as well as their mother, father, and grandmother. The brutal murder of the mother of two has been described by neighbors and family members as an act of "utter savagery."
On social media, her cousin Daribel Lobaina condemned the assailant, stating he "acted as if he were confronting an animal." Félix Ramos Torrell, who witnessed the necropsy process, remarked, "Not even death can atone for what he did. It was a disaster."
Community Reacts to Grisly Crime
The crime's graphic images, which circulated online, have been criticized by family and friends for their insensitivity toward the grieving loved ones of the victim. Guilarte Castillo was notorious in the community for his violent behavior and a history of illegal activities, including involvement in clandestine gambling and cattle slaughtering. Residents described him as a troublesome individual with a morally questionable character and explosive behavior.
Rising Gender Violence in Cuba
The murder of Daynilis highlights a disturbing trend of escalating gender-based violence in Cuba. Alarming statistics show a surge in femicides in 2024. To date, the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory and the YoSíTeCreo platform in Cuba have documented 46 femicides; however, due to the lack of official data and underreporting, the actual number may be higher.