Man Faces 20-Year Sentence for Machete Attack on Ex-Partner in Front of Daughter in Santiago de Cuba

The call for justice echoes loudly in Santiago de Cuba as the trial begins for Alberto Pérez Massó, charged with attempting to murder his ex-partner, Dargis Vargas Ferrer, in a brutal machete attack witnessed by her young daughter and other family members. According to well-known independent journalist and activist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, the prosecution has demanded a 20-year prison sentence, a request that has sparked outrage within the community and among advocates against gender-based violence.

Graphic Scene of Violence: “He Mutilated Her Before the Child”

The journalist, based in the United States, shared details on Facebook about the harrowing incident that took place on August 19, 2024, in the Petrocasas neighborhood of Micro III. On that day, Pérez Massó, who was on a prison furlough for another offense, forcibly entered his ex-partner's home and launched a vicious machete attack, according to witnesses.

“He attacked her like a beast... left her lying in a pool of blood,” recounted a still-shocked neighbor. The victim's daughter, paralyzed by fear, witnessed the assault. The cries for help alerted the entire neighborhood, prompting residents to gather outside the home. Some attempted to take justice into their own hands, necessitating police intervention to prevent a lynching.

A Surviving Mother: Maimed but Alive

Against all odds, as Mayeta reported, Dargis survived the attempted femicide. She was rushed to Saturnino Lora Hospital with severe injuries to her head, face, arms, and legs. Her recovery has been slow and painful.

“She bears permanent physical scars, but her dignity remains intact,” stated a relative of the victim. Dargis continues to receive treatment, facing significant impairments in one arm and scars that extend beyond the physical, capturing the horror of that day.

Justice Demand Considered Inadequate

The 20-year prison sentence demand has been deemed insufficient by family, neighbors, and human rights advocates. The crime was not an isolated attack or domestic dispute; it was a premeditated murder attempt.

“This wasn’t a fight; it was an assassination attempt. It's not just a man on trial but a system failing to protect women,” a family member of the victim stated. Civil society organizations have demanded that the case be reviewed with a gender perspective and that the Penal Code's full extent be applied.

Dargis: A Symbol of Resistance and Institutional Failure

Dargis's story highlights not only her personal tragedy as a victim of extreme violence but also the ongoing state negligence in addressing gender-based violence in Cuba. Activists criticize the lack of effective prevention policies, victim protection, and exemplary punishment for perpetrators.

Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, who shared the story on social media, captured the sentiment of many with a haunting phrase: “He struck her with a machete in front of the child.” Meanwhile, in the courtroom and the streets of Santiago de Cuba, the demand grows louder: “Justice for Dargis!”