Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez, a prominent Cuban opposition leader, fell victim to a violent assault in Aguada de Pasajeros, located in the Cienfuegos province. The attack occurred on Saturday, April 5, as reported by Alpidio Leyva on the Facebook group "Alerta Aguada de Pasajeros." Leyva condemned the incident as a terrorist act carried out by "hitmen in the service of State Security."
According to the initial post, four individuals ambushed the opposition figure in a public area, striking him with machetes on the head and inflicting multiple stab wounds, leaving him in critical condition. This account was corroborated by activist and opposition member Ángel Moya Acosta, who shared the narrative from the victim's brother, Bárbaro de la Nuez. He recounted that five attackers, armed with machetes, knives, and clubs, caught Juan Alberto off guard as he walked through the park in Aguada de Pasajeros.
The brutal ambush resulted in Juan de la Nuez suffering several fractures in both arms and legs, along with ten stab wounds distributed across his body. "My brother underwent surgery on one leg and is being evaluated for another. He was also operated on both arms and his abdomen. Numerous wounds on his face, hands, arms, and legs were sutured," detailed Bárbaro de la Nuez, who is also a well-known opponent of the Cuban regime in the region.
According to his testimony, four of the alleged attackers were apprehended by the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) but were later released. The whereabouts of the fifth assailant remain unknown. Bárbaro criticized the authorities for their apparent disinterest in the case, noting that neither the PNR nor State Security have visited the hospital to take a statement from the victim or inquire about his health status.
"This crime will not go unpunished," concluded Alpidio Leyva in his post, reflecting the outrage this violent act has sparked within the opposition community. Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez represents the Citizen Movement for Reflection and Reconciliation (MCRR) and is a member of the pro-democracy Cuban Independent Civil Society advocating for human rights.
As of now, Cuban authorities have not released any official statements regarding the incident.
Key Questions about the Attack on Cuban Opposition Leader
Who was the victim of the assault in Cienfuegos?
The victim was Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez, a leader of the Cuban opposition and a representative of the Citizen Movement for Reflection and Reconciliation.
What are the allegations made by the victim's family?
Bárbaro de la Nuez, the victim's brother, accused the attackers of being associated with State Security and criticized the authorities for their lack of action and interest in investigating the case.
What injuries did Juan Alberto de la Nuez Ramírez sustain?
He sustained several fractures in both arms and legs, ten stab wounds, and required surgery on one leg, both arms, and his abdomen, along with sutures for multiple facial and bodily wounds.