This Thursday, independent Cuban platforms reported the tragic murder of a woman by her partner in the province of Sancti Spíritus, marking the tenth femicide recorded in Cuba so far this year. The victim, Yunisleidy (Yuni) López Milián, aged 40, was killed on March 27 in her home in Guayos, a town within the Cabaiguán municipality, according to the Gender Observatory of the Alas Tensas magazine (OGAT) and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba (YSTCC).
Shocking details emerged as both organizations disclosed that the perpetrator maliciously reported López's disappearance to the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and even participated in the search efforts organized by family and neighbors during the week she was missing. They expressed concern about a disturbing pattern among assailants, who often attempt to conceal their crimes by reporting their victims as missing.
López was a mother to three young children, one of whom was fathered by her killer, as stated by her relatives. The platforms strongly criticized the use of the term "crime of passion," which Radio Sancti Spíritus had used improperly in its coverage of the case, emphasizing the term's potential to excuse such heinous acts.
The victim's body was eventually discovered in a pit within her own home in Guayos, a week after she vanished. The recovery involved a police operation with firefighters, amid widespread shock among local residents.
This case bears similarity to that of Julia Salvadora Segura Guerra, another femicide victim in March from the Violeta area in the Primero de Enero municipality, Ciego de Ávila. Segura was also murdered by her partner, who buried her in the yard of their shared home. Her body was found on March 17, just two days after being reported missing.
OGAT and YSTCC are currently investigating four additional femicide alerts in the provinces of Artemisa, Matanzas, Santiago de Cuba, and Havana, urging the public to report gender-based violence crimes. Since 2019, these organizations have independently documented femicides across Cuba, confirming 55 such crimes in 2024.
Over the years, they have consistently called on the Cuban government to declare a state of emergency for gender violence and have advocated for comprehensive legislation to combat this scourge and ensure women's protection. The regime in Havana has yet to recognize "femicide" as a legal term or classify it as a crime in the Penal Code, enforced since 2022. Despite this, it has been forced to acknowledge the rise in gender-based violence and related murders.
Recently, authorities announced efforts to create a computerized and interoperable administrative registry regarding the violent deaths of women and girls due to gender-based reasons. However, they noted this registry would not be publicly accessible, despite growing public demands for transparency and decisive action against this grave issue.
Understanding Femicide and Gender-Based Violence in Cuba
What is femicide?
Femicide refers to the intentional killing of women or girls because of their gender. It is a severe form of gender-based violence, often linked to misogyny and systemic discrimination against women.
How are femicides documented in Cuba?
In Cuba, independent organizations like the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba document femicides. They gather data and report cases, as the Cuban government does not officially recognize or classify femicide as a separate crime.
Why is the term "crime of passion" controversial?
The term "crime of passion" is controversial because it can be seen as a way to justify or diminish the severity of the crime. It suggests that the murder was provoked by intense emotions, which can detract from the accountability of the perpetrator.