Leonar Michel López Mora, a 20-year-old Cuban, tragically lost his life over the past weekend in a violent incident that has shaken the community of Puerto Padre, located in Las Tunas province. The tragic event unfolded at Playa La Boca during official summer opening festivities, sponsored by TRD Caribe and attended by provincial authorities.
While the festive day was filled with speeches and music, Leonar Michel's life was cut short when he was fatally stabbed in the back. Eyewitnesses on social media claimed that the alleged attacker, whose identity remains undisclosed, fled the scene and has yet to be apprehended.
Adding to the heartbreak, Leonar leaves behind a pregnant wife, as confirmed by those close to him. This dimension of the tragedy intensifies the community's sorrow. "My friend, my brother, today I dare to say goodbye to you... Thank you for always looking out for me and protecting me like a sister. I only ask God to take care of you and give health to your wife and the little one growing inside her," wrote his friend Rosy Silva Romero on Facebook, sharing the message alongside photos with him.
In another post, a user shared Leonar's last photo taken at the event where he was attacked: "Summer kickoff with my friends. A thousand blessings," Leonar had written hours before his death. The image, showing him smiling with friends, stands in stark contrast to the tragic end that awaited him shortly thereafter.
Another Youth Injured and Government Silence
During the same incident, another young man suffered a severe stab wound to the back. A picture shared on social media reveals the scars from the surgery. Fortunately, this second individual has been discharged and is recovering at home, according to the page "Díaz-Canel Sin Gao."
Yet, no Cuban authority or official media outlet has addressed the crime, despite it occurring at a state-sponsored public event. This institutional silence has sparked outrage across social media, with the hashtag #JusticeForLeonarMichel gaining momentum as a symbol of public demand for accountability.
Motives Behind the Tragedy: Revenge or Jealousy?
Unofficial accounts suggest that the attack was carried out by a debt collector for an electric company, in what some describe as a possible "settling of scores." Others claim the assailant was an ex-convict driven by jealousy towards Leonar, who was seen as a problem-free, hardworking, and respected young man.
"The person who killed him is an ex-prisoner who envied him," a user alleged on Facebook, also noting that the murder occurred just an hour after Leonar shared the photo celebrating summer with his friends.
This tragic murder adds to the wave of violence gripping the country, a phenomenon that is not hidden, especially among the youth, alongside the official indifference to events that bring grief to entire communities.
In Contramaestre, Santiago de Cuba, at the end of June, Roger Vargas Cárdenas, 19, was fatally stabbed in front of the ETECSA office while returning from a party. Three teenagers attacked him to steal his girlfriend's cellphone.
Meanwhile, in Havana, also in the last days of June, babalawo Carlos César Vive from Santiago de Cuba was murdered in broad daylight after being stabbed at least three times. The reasons behind the crime remain unclear, with speculation about possible disputes with members of a religious society.
Understanding the Rise in Violence in Cuba
What happened to Leonar Michel López Mora?
Leonar Michel López Mora was a 20-year-old Cuban who was tragically killed during a summer opening event at Playa La Boca in Las Tunas, when he was fatally stabbed in the back.
Why is the hashtag #JusticeForLeonarMichel trending?
The hashtag #JusticeForLeonarMichel is trending as a public demand for accountability and justice, following the silence from Cuban authorities regarding his murder during a state-sponsored event.
What are some theories behind the attack?
Theories about the attack include a possible "settling of scores" by a debt collector or an act driven by jealousy from an ex-convict who envied Leonar.