Authorities in Havana have apprehended the manager of a dairy farm located in the Guanabacoa municipality. He stands accused of illegally slaughtering two cattle, according to official sources. The arrest was first reported by "El Cubano Fiel," a Facebook page associated with the Ministry of the Interior (Minint), and subsequently shared by the official page of the Guanabacoa Municipal Administration Council. However, the identity of the state official remains undisclosed.
Members of local farming brigades reported that the police arrived at the Típica 38 dairy farm in the Minas neighborhood after a livestock count revealed missing cattle, prompted by a citizen's phone tip. When questioned by law enforcement, the farm manager claimed he discovered the animals dead and, in a state of panic, disposed of the carcasses in a pit.
Investigators quickly dismantled his account, using evidence to prove his story false. The manager was subsequently detained and is expected to face trial. In Cuba, offenses related to cattle theft and illegal slaughter are met with severe penalties. In 2024, 1,615 individuals were prosecuted for similar crimes involving the illegal slaughter and trafficking of cattle, with 78% receiving sentences of up to 15 years.
The government has intensified its crackdown on illegal beef trafficking, a symptom of the severe food crisis gripping the nation and the increasing reliance on the informal market by Cubans to obtain this essential commodity. This week, other arrests occurred in Guanabacoa when several individuals were caught transporting 23 sacks of beef without the necessary legal documentation.
Earlier, in Santa Clara, the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) dismantled an illegal cattle slaughtering network, seizing over 300 pounds of meat and arresting three suspects. A nationwide audit conducted by the Department of Livestock Registry under the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAG) from March 2024 to January 2025 uncovered 181,854 "irregularities" in cattle management across Cuba. These included instances of theft, illegal slaughter, undeclared deaths, unauthorized sales, and animal disappearances.
The provinces of Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, and Las Tunas reported the highest number of violations, with 1,128 unprocessed cases.
Understanding Cuba's Cattle Slaughter Laws and Recent Incidents
What led to the arrest of the dairy farm manager in Guanabacoa?
The manager was arrested for the illegal slaughter of two cattle, following a tip-off and subsequent investigation by the police.
How are illegal cattle slaughter and trafficking penalized in Cuba?
In Cuba, these offenses are severely punished, with many offenders receiving sentences of up to 15 years in prison.
What were the findings of the nationwide livestock audit?
The audit uncovered 181,854 irregularities, including theft, illegal slaughter, undeclared deaths, illegal sales, and animal disappearances.