In the early hours of Tuesday, the Revolutionary National Police apprehended three individuals involved in the theft of Basic Rationed Goods at a store located on Jovellar Street, between L and M, in the Rampa Popular Council, Havana. The pro-government Facebook page "Heroes in Blue in Cuba" boasted about the arrest, stating that the suspects forcefully entered the establishment with the intent to steal goods meant for the public.
The crime was thwarted only because vigilant neighbors alerted authorities, leading to the capture of the suspects nearby and the recovery of the stolen items by the police. This incident underscores the state's reliance on citizen cooperation to combat the rising crime rates, despite authorities' claims that there is "no truce with crime."
Yet, this situation highlights the severe impact of the economic crisis on the island, where access to the Basic Rationed Goods, crucial for the survival of many families, has become a catalyst for desperation and social unrest. For instance, in 2023, police detained two men accused of robbing a Havana store after threatening the guard with a knife.
Crime Beyond the Capital
The issue is not confined to Havana. In the first half of 2024, there were 48 reported thefts at stores in the province of Las Tunas, primarily in the capital area and the municipality of Puerto Padre, with a marked increase in July and August. According to the state-run Periódico 26, Las Tunas and Puerto Padre account for 73 percent of the forcible robberies reported during the first six months of the year.
On Facebook, a profile named El Cubano Fiel, associated with the Ministry of the Interior, posted pictures of the two alleged thieves. Although the images are pixelated, at least one of the suspects appears to be very young.