In the early hours of Sunday, June 29, a violent confrontation near the bar "El 24" in Cienfuegos resulted in the deaths of two young men. Witnesses on social media identified the victims as Luardis Agulle Jiménez and Lester Leal, who were there with family, including a pregnant woman and a minor.
The situation escalated when three seemingly drunken individuals began acting provocatively. An attempt to de-escalate the tension was made, but it quickly spiraled into deadly violence. Lester was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Luardis was later found lifeless a short distance from the scene. Relatives have criticized the authorities for delays in responding and transporting the deceased, noting that the suspects managed to flee and remain at large.
Devastated Families Demand Justice
Friends, neighbors, and family members of the victims have taken to social media to share their accounts and demand justice. A particularly striking account was posted on a Facebook profile named Díaz-Canel Singao, where a close associate described the tragedy and appealed for help to bring attention to the case: "Justice. We want justice, and we ask God that if the police do not respond, we will ensure these deaths do not go unpunished, no matter the cost," the source declared.
The same source shared a video of Luardis Agulle Jiménez’s funeral, showing grieving family members. "We are all shattered, and there is the proof," reads the caption alongside the images. The city of Cienfuegos was in mourning that Sunday, not only for the loss of Luardis and Lester but also due to another murder that occurred that weekend, with the victim buried the same day.
Criticism of Authority's Response
The families have also criticized the perceived inaction and sluggishness of the authorities. They claim that Luardis' body remained in the street for over an hour because, as they were told, "the police and the funeral service had no fuel to transport him." The absence of an immediate official response has fueled frustration online, with repeated calls for the arrest and prosecution of the three alleged assailants.
Rising Anxiety Over Public Safety
Beyond this incident, many citizens voiced concerns about what they see as a worrying increase in street violence. On Facebook, user Jesús Ensenat wrote: "Blood flows again in Cienfuegos. There is fear and insecurity among the people. Good citizens are desperately calling for drastic measures... Currently, the maximum penalty for homicide in Cuba is 30 years. How long will this continue?"
Ensenat went further, advocating for the reinstatement of the death penalty in Cuba’s legal code as the only way to curb what he describes as a wave of unchecked criminality. "Using a knife or machete in our neighborhoods has become fashionable. Only the State can stop this. The laws are too lenient; we need to tighten them," he concluded.
No Arrests or Official Statements
As of this publication, no arrests have been made, nor have there been any official statements from the police or Cienfuegos authorities. Both citizen media and independent profiles stress that the alleged perpetrators remain on the run, heightening tension among the populace and exacerbating feelings of impunity.
FAQs on Cienfuegos Double Homicide
What led to the violent incident in Cienfuegos?
The violence erupted after three seemingly intoxicated individuals began acting provocatively near the bar "El 24," leading to a deadly altercation.
Who were the victims in the Cienfuegos incident?
The victims were Luardis Agulle Jiménez and Lester Leal, two young men who tragically lost their lives in the altercation.
What is the community demanding following the incident?
The community is demanding justice for the victims, urging authorities to arrest and prosecute the suspects involved in the crime.
What criticisms have been directed at the authorities?
Authorities have been criticized for their slow response and perceived inaction, with accusations of delays in transporting the deceased due to a lack of resources.