In the early hours of December 31, a Cuban father tragically lost his life in what appears to be a retaliatory attack in San José de los Ramos, Colón, Matanzas. The victim, identified as Yadiel Carballo Castañeda, aged 28, was reportedly assaulted at his home while his wife and three-year-old daughter looked on, according to reports by Víctor Hernández.
Yadiel attempted to defend himself, managing to injure one of his three attackers, yet was ultimately overpowered and killed. One of the perpetrators, Niubel Chacón, was later seen at a hospital where he was photographed in tears. Authorities have identified another suspect involved in the incident.
Marisol Lima, a concerned Cuban citizen, expressed her frustration online, stating, "If the Police in Cuba do not take serious measures against criminals, the nation will descend into chaos. How much longer will families have to live in such fear?"
Leanet Osorio, a neighbor of the deceased, shared her sorrow on Yadiel's Facebook wall, writing, "Rest in peace, Yadiel. I'll always remember you and the times you called out to me when I passed by. I won't forget our fall on the 24th either. May God grant you eternal rest."
On December 31, a heartfelt obituary was posted on Yadiel's social media, seemingly composed by his widow. "What they did is unforgivable, but I will do everything in my power to ensure justice is served. This loss is irreplaceable. They showed no regard for my daughter or the pain of two mothers. Therefore, I demand justice," she wrote.
Yoervis Santana described Yadiel as "one of the good ones from San José," while a relative, Libia Fuentes, mourned the heartbreaking event. "Oh my God, such pain for my family. This loss. My cousin, you didn't deserve this. Rest in peace," she lamented.
This is not the only crime making headlines at the end of the year. In Santiago de Cuba's El Salao neighborhood, a 31-year-old man, father to a six-year-old, was allegedly murdered over a cellphone. Elio Delis Hardy was stabbed in a Micro II building.
In late 2023, the Cuban government acknowledged a surge in violence across the island, claiming it was on a decline without providing supporting evidence. Yet, incidents like the Ceballos massacre in 2024, where two mothers and their children were killed during a robbery, shook the nation. Reports indicate the criminals were acquaintances of the victims, with one relative disclosing that the four-year-old boy was tortured during the robbery.
The Cayo Hueso neighborhood in Centro Habana also faced horror with a triple homicide involving a mother, her son, and a neighbor, driven by theft.
In the first half of 2024, independent media reported 432 crimes in Cuba, averaging 2.37 incidents daily, significantly surpassing the numbers from the same period in 2023. These include 91 murders, 260 thefts, 39 assaults, 29 aggressions, and 13 classified as other crimes, according to the Cuban Observatory of Citizens' Audit (OCAC) in August.
Understanding Cuba's Increasing Crime Rates
What led to the murder of Yadiel Carballo Castañeda?
Yadiel Carballo Castañeda was killed in what is believed to be a retaliatory attack at his home in San José de los Ramos, Matanzas.
How is the Cuban government addressing the rising violence?
The Cuban government has acknowledged the increase in violence but has not provided evidence supporting its claims of a decrease in crime rates.
What are some notable crimes reported in Cuba recently?
Recent notable crimes include the murder of a 31-year-old father in Santiago de Cuba and a triple homicide in Centro Habana, both driven by theft.