The Cuban artist known as Mucho Mosty has publicly reported being the victim of a theft in Havana after his car windows were smashed and the vehicle was emptied during his brief absence of just over an hour. In a video shared on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, which shows the visible damage to his car, the artist describes leaving for "about an hour and a half" to visit the boulevard "for a moment," only to return and find that "they smashed the car here and took everything inside."
Among the stolen items were personal belongings and technical equipment belonging to his video director. "They took some of my video director's accessories, lenses, valuable items," he stated, adding that the total value of the stolen goods was over "700 and some change." In the initial video, he also mentioned the loss of his residency documents, but later clarified in an Instagram story that only cash and the items detailed in his video description were taken.
The artist emphasized offering a reward for any information that could help recover his belongings, including a contact number for tips. This incident is part of a wave of thefts reported in various Cuban cities, reflecting a worrying rise in public insecurity. Recently, a young woman recounted having her phone stolen while buying cookies on a Havana street, a story shared by YouTuber Víctor G.
Additionally, a man in Santiago de Cuba was arrested after stealing a phone in broad daylight near the Marvy market. In Cárdenas, a worker was robbed while waiting for a bus to Varadero, and the police managed to recover the phone at the suspect's home. Another recent incident in Sancti Spíritus involved a pickpocket stealing the backpack of a transportation inspector known as "El Azul" at a bus stop.
One notable case involved a Cuban resident from the United States, whose green card was stolen on the island and who was then subjected to an extortion attempt demanding $4,000 for its return. The document surfaced in a Facebook buy-sell group, and with the embassy's assistance, the victim successfully managed his return to the U.S.
The frequent reports of thefts and burglaries in both public and private spaces have heightened the sense of insecurity among the population, amid a deteriorating economic situation that fuels common crime in Cuba.
Understanding the Surge of Crime in Cuba
Why is there an increase in thefts in Cuba?
The increase in thefts in Cuba is often attributed to the worsening economic conditions, which lead to higher rates of common crime as people struggle to meet their basic needs.
What items were stolen from Mucho Mosty's car?
Valuable items stolen from Mucho Mosty's car included personal belongings and technical equipment, such as lenses and accessories belonging to his video director.
How are victims responding to thefts in Cuba?
Victims, like Mucho Mosty, are often turning to social media to report incidents and offer rewards for information leading to the recovery of their stolen items.