A significant theft at the José Martí Elementary School, located in the Rolo Monterrey neighborhood of Moa, Holguín province, has led to the arrest of 13 individuals, including two teenagers. These individuals face various charges related to the heist of technological equipment from the educational institution.
Local state journalist Camilo Velazco reported that the incident took place on August 2, when two 16-year-olds broke into the school’s administration office, stealing three televisions. They returned a few hours later with an accomplice, taking an additional five televisions, a computer, and a guitar, which were later sold in Moa and the nearby municipalities of Banes and Báguano.
The Ministry of the Interior (MININT), during their investigation, managed to recover one television first, followed by three more, along with the computer and the guitar. As a result of the inquiry, 13 people have been charged: three for burglary (currently in provisional detention), two for being accomplices (released on cash bail), and eight for possession of stolen property, who are undergoing the process while free.
In a public event attended by municipal authorities, the recovered items were returned to the school. Major Yoelkis Fuentes Zamora, head of the territorial criminal investigation unit, stressed the "importance of increasing" surveillance to "protect" state resources and "ensure" the continuity of the educational process.
The school's principal expressed regret that former students, some with "serious behavioral issues," were among those involved. She also called for enhanced security measures at educational facilities to prevent future incidents.
Despite the Cuban regime's claims of declining crime rates, statistics tell a different story. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC) reported 1,319 verified crimes between January and June of 2025, nearly five times more than in the same period of 2023 and surpassing all of 2024. This translates to 7.3 crimes per day, a historic record highlighting the rise in criminal activity and the diversification of criminal types on the island.
Key findings include 721 thefts, with 193 involving livestock theft and slaughter, underscoring the direct link between the food crisis and criminality. Additionally, there were 63 documented murders, with victims including women, minors, and elderly individuals, 16 of which were femicides.
Insights into Crime and Security in Holguín
What was stolen from the José Martí Elementary School?
Thieves took eight televisions, a computer, and a guitar from the José Martí Elementary School.
How did the authorities respond to the theft?
The Ministry of the Interior conducted an investigation, recovering several stolen items and charging 13 individuals for various offenses related to the theft.
How does this incident reflect on crime trends in Cuba?
The incident is part of a larger trend of increasing crime rates in Cuba, as evidenced by the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory's report of rising crime figures.