The community in Antilla, a municipality in Holguín province, remains in shock following a violent assault on Mario Tames, also known as "Mayito." He is currently in critical condition at a hospital after being shot multiple times in the early hours of August 24. The incident was initially reported by the Facebook page La Tijera, which cited family members and neighbors claiming that the attackers ambushed him near his home, inflicting serious injuries that have left him with a guarded prognosis.
Friends and relatives have since been calling for prayers for his recovery and have voiced their concern over the rising number of gun-related violent incidents in Cuba, an increasingly difficult reality to ignore. In a country where information about violence is often shrouded in secrecy, this case gained attention through Facebook posts, sparking public alarm and forcing authorities to respond.
Just hours after the news went viral on social media, the official profile Realidades desde Holguín, associated with the Ministry of the Interior, confirmed the arrest of the suspected perpetrators. However, it attempted to frame the incident as a "settling of scores" over personal issues, dismissing any notions of robbery or assault. Their account also claimed that the shots were fired not inside the victim's home but in the vicinity, "several meters away from his residence."
In its post, the channel underscored the effectiveness of the police, a recurring theme, yet notably, unlike La Tijera and Antilla residents' reports, the official profile never mentioned the name Mario Tames "Mayito," thereby erasing the human aspect of the event and sticking to a police narrative that tries to downplay the attack as merely a personal dispute. When violent events do not gain traction on social media, they remain shrouded in silence; only when they go viral does the official narrative emerge to control the story and minimize the social impact of insecurity on the island.
Meanwhile, in Antilla, anxiety is growing. The case of "Mayito" not only leaves a family in suspense but also exposes the face of a violence that authorities prefer to keep quiet, yet continues to impact Cuban communities significantly.
Concerns About Rising Violence in Holguín
What happened to Mario Tames in Holguín?
Mario Tames, known as "Mayito," was violently attacked and shot multiple times near his home in Antilla, Holguín. He is currently in critical condition at a hospital.
How did the authorities respond to the attack on Mario Tames?
Authorities, through the official profile Realidades desde Holguín, confirmed the arrest of the suspects and framed the incident as a personal dispute, downplaying any notions of robbery or assault.
Why is the case of Mario Tames significant?
The case highlights the growing violence in Cuba and the challenges in obtaining transparent information about such incidents, as the authorities often keep these cases under wraps unless they go viral on social media.