In a heartbreaking incident on Friday, a woman lost her life at the hands of her former partner in the coastal town of Niquero, located in Granma Province. This tragic event was confirmed by the independent outlet, La Hora de Cuba, based on accounts from local witnesses. The perpetrator, identified as Didier Almagro, ended his own life after fatally attacking his ex-partner, Gretel Matos, a 33-year-old mother of two young children.
Matos was brutally attacked with a knife three times in a public area. Almagro, who is the father of Matos's second child, fled the scene after committing the crime. His body was discovered hanging from a tree the following day, a detail that was highlighted in photos shared by users on Facebook.
Those close to Matos revealed to La Hora de Cuba that Almagro had repeatedly threatened to kill her after she refused to rekindle their relationship. The incident has sparked outrage, with many condemning the act and expressing concern over the frequency of such crimes in Cuba.
One social media user commented, "It's become a trend for weak men with low self-esteem to kill women as if it were as trivial as having a beer. Mothers, raise strong men with high self-esteem. Educate them so they're not stuck in one place. That way, you won't have to mourn a coward who runs away at the first sign of trouble."
Others called for harsher penalties to deter such acts. "It's time to implement the maximum penalty for these crimes. Once a severe punishment is applied, you'll see how it makes potential killers think twice," another person suggested.
Urgent Need for Legal and Social Reforms
In Cuba, where femicide is not explicitly defined as a crime in the Penal Code, organizations like Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and Alas Tensas maintain unofficial records of gender-based violence. These groups also advocate for appropriate legislation and the creation of public policies that protect women and prevent violence.
The devastating impact of femicides in Cuba is evident, as families are left to cope with unimaginable loss, like the case of Rosi Santana. Two children are now motherless after Santana was stabbed to death by her ex-partner at the Popular Camping Base La Hormiga in the Fomento municipality of Sancti Spíritus Province. The crime, witnessed by others in a recreational setting, has shocked the community.
By May, feminist platforms had recorded 14 women killed due to gender-based violence in 2025. Independent feminist organizations have voiced their dismay at these incidents and highlighted the increasing challenges in verifying such crimes. Persistent power outages and limited technological connectivity hinder citizen communication and the work of independent documentation.
Addressing Femicide and Gender Violence in Cuba
What steps are being taken to address femicide in Cuba?
Organizations like Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba and Alas Tensas are advocating for legal reforms and public policies to protect women and prevent gender-based violence, despite the lack of explicit femicide laws.
How is the community reacting to the recent femicide cases?
The community has expressed outrage and called for stronger penalties to deter such crimes, emphasizing the need for societal change in raising men with higher self-esteem.
What challenges do organizations face in documenting gender-based violence in Cuba?
Frequent power outages and poor technological connectivity pose significant challenges for organizations trying to verify and document incidents of gender-based violence.