A horrific crime has sent shockwaves through the community of El Manguito, located in Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba. Raumelis Victorero Rivera, a farmer and father of two young daughters, was savagely murdered with machetes on July 22, merely hours after registering his newborn daughter. According to reports from family members to the independent outlet CubaNet, at least four individuals ambushed him on a rural path in an area known as Corralón.
The assailants targeted his limbs, inflicting severe injuries. Despite immediate assistance from his 19-year-old younger brother, Raumelis succumbed to his injuries before reaching the La Maya clinic. "They ambushed him. They were waiting for him. It was his former brother-in-law, with whom he had prior issues," recounted a cousin of the victim, who chose to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation. "They left him for dead after nearly severing his arms and legs."
The Roots of a Tragic Conflict
The murder stems from a personal conflict that escalated into tragedy. Two years ago, Raumelis accidentally injured his former brother-in-law during a fight, leaving him with a permanent arm disability. Since then, the perpetrator vowed revenge—a threat he ultimately carried out with extreme violence.
Although three additional suspects have been apprehended, the family fears that authorities may attempt to downplay the incident by placing all the blame on the brother-in-law. "If he takes full responsibility, the others will walk free, putting us in danger," the cousin warned.
Ongoing Threats and Legal Action
The day following the murder, one of the attackers allegedly threatened the victim's younger brother, prompting the family to take legal action for these threats. "Everyone involved should pay, even those who stood by and did nothing. They all belong in jail!" they demand.
Raumelis, known in his community as a farmer, animal breeder, and cultivator, was about to celebrate his 35th birthday on August 5. He leaves behind a grieving wife, two young daughters, one of whom is just a month old, elderly parents, and a family struggling to find solace.
Disturbing Aftermath and Family's Call for Justice
As if the horror wasn't enough, explicit images of his deceased body, naked and wounded, were leaked and began circulating within the community. The photos, taken at the clinic's emergency room where he was pronounced dead, have added further trauma to his loved ones. "Every time I close my eyes, I see the photos. I can't get them out of my head. I've never witnessed such cruelty up close. What they did is beyond words; it was inhumane," his cousin lamented through tears.
The family's anger intensifies as they strive to preserve Raumelis's memory and demand justice. "Here in Cuba, killing a cow is more serious than killing a person," the woman remarked, reflecting the widespread distrust in Cuba's judicial system and the pervasive sense of impunity across the island.
This crime exposes not only the fragility of justice in rural areas but also the silent pain of those who watch their loved ones die without real consequences, in a Cuba battered by violence, impunity, and fear.
Understanding the Tragic Incident in Santiago de Cuba
Who was Raumelis Victorero Rivera?
Raumelis Victorero Rivera was a farmer and father from El Manguito, Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba, known for his work in agriculture and animal breeding.
What led to Raumelis's murder?
The murder was rooted in a personal conflict that escalated over two years. Raumelis had accidentally injured his former brother-in-law, who later sought revenge.
How is the family responding to the threats they received?
The family has initiated legal proceedings due to the threats received by Raumelis's younger brother, expressing their demand for all involved to face justice.