Unnerving Escape: Repeat Offender Breaks Free Again from Ciego de Ávila Prison

The recent escape of two high-risk convicts from Ciego de Ávila's provincial prison, known as Canaleta, has uncovered a disturbing detail: one of the fugitives, Idalberto Pérez Olivera, also known as "Basurita," had already managed to escape earlier this year and was caught under similar circumstances.

According to a Facebook post by the community group Avileños de Corazón dated January 29, Pérez Olivera was apprehended that day in the Grúa Nueva locality, Primero de Enero municipality, after causing several days of unrest in the neighborhood. Armed with a makeshift firearm, he coerced locals into giving him food and beverages. Eventually, the Special Brigade subdued him, and he was returned to prison. At the time, the post celebrated the return of peace to the area, though it did not specify how long he had been on the run or how he initially escaped custody.

Now, just months later, Basurita has once again become a figure of fear in Ciego de Ávila. The 27-year-old, sentenced to 16 years and six months for murder, armed robbery, assault, and illegal weapon possession, escaped yet again on August 24. This time, he was accompanied by another inmate: Ángel Luis Torres Santana, 54, a repeat offender serving 28 years for murder, threats, contempt, and evasion.

Both fugitives have been deemed extremely dangerous, prompting authorities to issue an official alert and urge public cooperation. The escape has sparked public concern, not only because of the fugitives' violent histories but also due to what it reveals about the shortcomings of the Cuban prison system. Photos and criminal records of the escapees circulated on social media and alternative outlets like La Tijera, drawing harsh criticism for the lack of control in a maximum-security facility.

Public Reaction and Security Concerns

The other escapee, Torres Santana, was reportedly seen just hours after their escape at a small restaurant in the Campechuela municipality of Granma province. Witnesses say he arrived shirtless, nervously requested food, and pretended to stutter. The suspicious owner asked him to leave, later recognizing him from the circulated images upon reviewing security footage. Despite informing the Revolutionary National Police immediately, the initial response was negligent, with officers merely taking notes and promising to "call the chief."

The Ministry of the Interior has reminded the public not to confront the fugitives and has set up hotlines for information. However, the sense of insecurity is mounting among the residents of Ciego de Ávila. This incident adds to a series of recent violent episodes and unpunished crimes in Cuba, fueling the perception that public safety is significantly deteriorating.

Family Reactions and Social Debate

The situation has also sparked a social debate. Some relatives of the inmates, like Yulita González, mother of Basurita's daughter, have voiced outrage over the widespread dissemination of alerts, arguing that the way these news stories are presented negatively impacts their loved ones. She insists that "people have families and children who can be affected by these reports," a viewpoint that contrasts sharply with the fear experienced by neighbors who have faced direct threats from the fugitive.

Basurita's recurring escapes pose a larger question: how can a convict with such a violent and escape-prone history repeatedly outsmart prison security in less than a year? Meanwhile, the fugitives remain at large, highlighting the deep flaws in a penitentiary system that many claim fails to ensure either public safety or the control of its inmates.