A crowd gathered on Tuesday in the Los Olmos neighborhood of Santiago de Cuba to apprehend a man suspected of scamming, after he was allegedly recognized by his victims on the street. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared a video on Facebook showing a large group of people congregated in front of a house on Mariana Grajales Avenue, near Yarayó Avenue. The footage was taken from a moving bicitaxi.
“An individual is being attacked at Mariana Grajales and Yarayó in Santiago de Cuba,” the journalist noted alongside the video, without providing further specifics about the event. However, in the comments section, several users identified the man as a repeat scammer, who reportedly defrauded his victims just days earlier.
“He was a scammer who swindled more than 4,000 pesos a week ago. He ran out of luck when he crossed paths with the women, and that’s when it all started,” commented Raynier Casamayor. “He was a scammer being held accountable,” added Gumercindo Fernández.
Other users praised the public’s actions, expressing frustration over what they see as unchecked criminal activity in the country due to police inaction. “These shameless thieves and scammers deserve a hard response. They shouldn't mess with good, humble people. Let them try scamming the government that oppresses them and keeps them in poverty and misery. If the police won’t act, then the people must, to teach respect,” wrote a user named Gold Chanel.
Rising Crime and Public Vigilantism in Cuba
This incident highlights the growing crime rate in Cuba, and notably, how the lack of security and police inaction have driven citizens to take justice into their own hands. In recent months, this form of street justice has become more frequent, indicative of deteriorating public order and increasing distrust in law enforcement.
The most recent instance occurred when residents of Reparto Barrio Técnico in Santiago de Cuba captured a young thief after he stole a television. The community tied the teenager’s hands and feet until police arrived, sparking debate about the structural causes of crime, including poverty and family roles in education.
A few days prior, a reward of 100,000 Cuban pesos was offered for information leading to the capture of a robbery suspect, showcasing the public's desperation amidst perceived impunity. In March, residents of Manzanillo thwarted a robbery by capturing the suspect, beating him, and holding him until authorities arrived, illustrating the mounting tension between public frustration and the perceived sluggishness of police response.
These episodes of community intervention are not isolated. Since late 2024, Santiago de Cuba has frequently witnessed similar events. In November, residents of the Songo la Maya neighborhood handed over a young thief to the police, while days later, another group captured and beat a young man caught stealing from a home.
Understanding Cuba's Crime and Vigilante Justice
Why are citizens in Cuba taking justice into their own hands?
Citizens are resorting to vigilante justice due to increasing crime rates and perceived inaction from police authorities, leading to a lack of trust in the system.
What factors contribute to rising crime in Cuba?
Factors such as poverty, economic instability, and lack of effective law enforcement contribute to the rising crime rates in Cuba.
How have communities responded to crime in Santiago de Cuba?
Communities have responded by taking matters into their own hands, capturing and restraining suspects until police arrive, often due to frustration with slow police responses.