A Cuban woman met a tragic end in the early hours of Thursday in Holguín, killed by her ex-partner despite having filed multiple complaints against him. Reports from La Tijera and social media outlets reveal that Milagros Batista Estévez, a 56-year-old resident of the Alex Urquiola neighborhood, was fatally stabbed in her home by José Matos, a man with a history of violence, theft, and extortion. Alarmingly, he remained at large despite having at least three complaints lodged against him.
Her son, Óscar Bermúdez Batista, expressed his frustration, stating, "This tragedy could have been avoided. My mother reported him three times. He would steal her money, extort her, and threaten not to return her savings unless she withdrew her complaints. Yet, he was never apprehended."
Police Inaction and Community Outrage
On the day of the murder, Milagros's daughter reached out to the Revolutionary National Police (PNR) when Matos attempted a burglary at their home. The response was appalling: "There are no patrols available, if he returns, we will try to send one." Moments later, the aggressor came back, tried breaking in again, and was momentarily stopped by a neighbor. He then descended to Milagros's home, attacking her with a knife and dealing 14 stab wounds.
"This crime was preventable. The Cuban State, its police, and judicial system failed. The community is not just shocked but also outraged," emphasized La Tijera. The incident has sparked widespread anger on social media, with numerous Cubans demanding strict measures against those committing femicide.
Unreported Cases and Rising Numbers
As of July 30, the observatories Observario de Género Alas Tensas (OGAT) and YoSíTeCreo en Cuba (YSTCC) had documented 22 femicides, one male murder due to gender-based reasons, and two attempted femicides.
In 2024, 76 women fell victim to femicide in Cuba, killed by partners, ex-partners, or others, according to a recent official report by the regime on extreme gender violence against women. The Observatory of Cuba on Gender Equality (OCIG), affiliated with the Cuban government, released this figure, emphasizing the number of women aged 15 and older who were "victims of intentional homicide." They notably avoided using the term femicide. This figure starkly contrasts with the previous year's independent feminist platforms, OGAT and YoSíTeCreo en Cuba, which documented 56 femicides in 2024, as per OGAT's annual report.
Understanding the Rise of Femicide in Cuba
What is being done about femicide in Cuba?
Currently, there is widespread social media outrage and demands for stringent measures against femicide perpetrators. However, official responses and actions remain inadequate.
How has the government responded to the increasing femicide cases?
The Cuban government has released figures on gender-based violence but avoids using the term "femicide." There is criticism for their lack of concrete actions and policy changes.