A video circulating online shows a group of residents in Bayamo capturing and tying up a suspected thief until police arrive on the scene. The clip was recently shared by Saúl Manuel, a Miami-based singer-songwriter, who expressed his views on the incident via Facebook. "Just moments ago in La Unión, Bayamo. This man was reportedly caught stealing... With this same energy, people should stand up to the dictatorship, the biggest thief of all, stealing from them every day," he posted.
In the video, the voices of the locals can be heard discussing the situation. One person questions, "If he was caught peacefully, why beat him?" while another voice insists, "Don't hit him anymore." The alleged thief remains silent, his hands bound by a rope held by someone off-camera, with visible signs of bruising on his face.
The footage also captures the arrival of a police patrol, which takes the suspect into custody. As the officers escort the man into the vehicle, another individual appears to attempt to strike him before the patrol car departs.
The increasing breakdown of public order and the deepening social crisis in Cuba have led to a rise in incidents like this, where citizens attempt to administer their own form of justice. Earlier this month, in Santiago de Cuba, residents caught a suspected burglar inside a home and managed to detain him through their own efforts.
Impact of Social Unrest on Crime in Cuba
What sparked the incident in Bayamo?
The incident in Bayamo was triggered when locals caught a man allegedly in the act of stealing. They restrained him and waited for law enforcement to arrive, highlighting frustrations with public safety and governance.
How are residents responding to crime in Cuba?
With the perceived inefficiency of authorities, residents in Cuba are increasingly taking matters into their own hands, capturing and detaining criminals themselves in an attempt to safeguard their communities.