A terrifying event unfolded in Santa Clara in the early hours of Monday, February 24, putting a mother and her three children in grave danger. The incident occurred when Marcos Martínez Capote, a neighbor of Yunisley Suárez Rodríguez, attempted to set her home on fire. He ignited the interior after opening her bedroom window.
Fortunately, neither Suárez Rodríguez nor her children were physically harmed, though they lost a significant amount of their belongings, as reported by Cuban activist Irma Lidia Cepero, known on social media as Irma Broek.
It has emerged that Suárez Rodríguez had filed a formal complaint against Martínez Capote with the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) in Santa Clara just four days prior to the attack, alerting authorities to the threats she had been receiving. Despite this, the perpetrator remained free, even with a known history of violence and substance abuse.
The incident has sparked outrage within the community and on social media, with activists and citizens demanding immediate action from the authorities to protect the victim and her family. The PNR of Santa Clara, along with Governor Milaxy Yanet Sánchez Armas and other state security bodies, have been held accountable for their inaction, which allowed the situation to escalate to an attempted murder.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Yunisley Suárez's husband, Aron Yanko, is currently serving a year and a half sentence for "aggravated contempt" due to a meme. Yanko, a professional nurse, was arrested and sentenced in what his relatives deem an excessive punishment. While he remains in prison, his wife and children are left vulnerable to further attacks without effective intervention from the authorities.
This case highlights significant shortcomings in the protection of citizens and the alarming impunity with which some aggressors operate.
Concerns About Public Safety and Legal Protections in Cuba
What actions did the victim take before the attack?
Yunisley Suárez Rodríguez filed a formal complaint with the National Revolutionary Police in Santa Clara, alerting them to the threats from her neighbor, Marcos Martínez Capote, just four days before the attack.
What are the public's reactions to the incident?
The incident has caused a public outcry, with both the community and social media users demanding immediate protective measures for the victim and accountability from local authorities.
Why is the victim's husband in prison?
Aron Yanko, the victim's husband, is serving a year and a half sentence for "aggravated contempt" related to a meme, which his family believes to be an excessive and punitive measure.