A man has been taken into custody in Santiago de Cuba following an alleged attempt to murder his ex-wife in broad daylight near the train station. Witnesses reported that the assailant approached the location and lunged at the woman with a knife, while she screamed for help, as detailed by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta on his Facebook page.
In a video shared by Mayeta, several bystanders claimed the individual appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Passersby intervened and managed to subdue him until police officers from the railway terminal arrived and made the arrest. During the incident, the man's mother attempted to prevent his arrest by clinging to him.
The Cuban regime does not acknowledge the existence of femicide within the country, as it is not classified as a crime under the current Penal Code. Nevertheless, authorities have been forced to admit the rise in gender-based violence against women and related crimes in recent years.
Independent feminist platforms Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba have been documenting reported femicides on the island since 2019. So far this year, they have verified seven cases and are investigating three alerts in Artemisa, Matanzas, and Santiago de Cuba. The murder of a Cuban nurse, reported on Monday, had not yet been confirmed by these independent platforms at the time of this publication.
Key Questions on Domestic Violence in Cuba
What was the location of the attempted murder incident?
The incident took place near the train station in Santiago de Cuba.
How did bystanders respond to the attack?
Several passersby intervened and were able to restrain the attacker until the police arrived.
Are femicides recognized as a crime in Cuba?
No, femicides are not recognized as a crime under the current Cuban Penal Code.