In a recent incident, two cadets from the Instituto Técnico Militar (ITM), Alejandro Cantillo Pérez and Yoerlandy Camero Baños, showcased integrity by returning a lost backpack filled with a significant amount of foreign currency, personal documents, and a mobile phone. The event took place this past Saturday in Havana's Playa district and was highlighted on Facebook by pro-government spokesperson Frank Enrique.
According to Enrique's account, the young men were walking near the intersection of 110th Street and 5th Avenue when they noticed an unattended backpack on the ground. Upon inspection, they found it contained 4,000 Cuban pesos, 5,400 euros, 3,084 US dollars, a mobile phone, and an ID card.
Seeing that the ID card's address was local, they attempted to return the belongings directly, only to find the house closed and under construction. With no other options, they headed to the nearest police station to initiate the return process. At that time, a Cuban citizen living in the Dominican Republic—husband to the backpack's owner—arrived at the station to report the loss of the ID and phone, never expecting the money to be recovered.
Grateful for the cadets' honesty, he personally escorted them back to their school. The narrative has been used by official channels to highlight the ethical and patriotic values taught within Cuba's defense system. This portrayal, however, starkly contrasts with the violent reactions of uniformed officers during public protests, which calls into question the very values they claim to uphold.
In recent months, the Cuban regime has been ramping up efforts to project a more ethical and humane image of its repressive forces, particularly the State Security (SE) and the Ministry of the Interior (MININT). This image overhaul was further emphasized by Colonel José Marco Rubinos, who in a formal event denied the existence of a Cuban counterrevolution, attributing opposition solely to foreign funding.
Rubinos stated that the state's policy of repression against dissent is systematically crafted at the highest government levels, executed by young officers “trained” to confront the “primary enemy”: the United States. On the same day, Miguel Díaz-Canel echoed this narrative in the government podcast Desde La Presidencia, claiming the SE is "respected and envied" globally. He praised the legacy of the Castros in establishing this repressive structure, labeling its members as “global benchmarks” for their efficiency.
Efforts to glorify the state’s security forces have also been pursued publicly. In March, the MININT organized a vocational festival at a Havana school, promoting roles within the SE as ethical and professional development paths. Shortly before, images of repressive forces playing soccer were shared in an attempt to humanize their image, which was met with criticism from those who see these actions as mere propaganda to soften public perception of state repression.
Understanding the Event in Havana
Who found the lost backpack in Havana?
The backpack was found by two cadets from the Instituto Técnico Militar, Alejandro Cantillo Pérez and Yoerlandy Camero Baños.
What was inside the lost backpack?
The backpack contained 4,000 Cuban pesos, 5,400 euros, 3,084 US dollars, a mobile phone, and an ID card.
How did the cadets return the lost items?
They attempted to return them directly to the address on the ID card but ended up going to the police station to report and return the items as the house was closed.