In front of a crowd of onlookers, Dariannis Ramírez Rodríguez, a fifth-year medical student from the Songo-La Maya municipality, fell victim to a robbery at the Calle 4 terminal in Santiago de Cuba. This location is notorious for its lack of safety for those needing transportation. Journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the incident on Facebook after Dariannis's father, Eminaldo Ramírez Mustelier, brought it to light.
According to the account, the thief snatched the student's phone by reaching into her purse and threatened her with a sharp weapon, demanding silence. Despite occurring in broad daylight and in front of many witnesses, no one stepped in, emphasized the victim's father.
“Today it was a phone, but it could have been my daughter's life,” Ramírez expressed with frustration, highlighting the growing threat to public safety as violence becomes more rampant.
He directly challenged the political, judicial, and police authorities in Santiago de Cuba, questioning how long crime will continue to operate with blatant impunity in public spaces.
Rising Crime and Public Outcry
This incident adds to a series of previous complaints pointing to Calle 4 terminal as a persistent hotspot for thefts and robberies, with no effective action from the authorities so far. The insecurity in Santiago de Cuba has reached alarming levels, with a string of violent incidents underscoring a disconcerting lack of citizen protection.
In the José Martí district, two young carriage drivers were violently assaulted in the dark, beaten, and robbed of their horse-drawn carriage. Although they managed to escape, the attack sparked criticism over the authorities' inactivity in the face of a growing crime wave.
Community Justice Amidst Institutional Failures
Recently, a knife attack left two people injured in the streets of Santiago, heightening widespread fear. Witnesses reported that the assailants acted with complete impunity in a busy area, with no police presence or immediate response. In another instance, in the Agüero-Mar Verde neighborhood, a thief was captured by residents and tied to a post after attempting to rob them at knifepoint.
The delay of over an hour by the authorities to arrive at the scene exemplifies the community's diminishing trust in the institutions responsible for maintaining order.
Violence Escalates With No End In Sight
Moreover, an assault on the headquarters of Servicios Comunales sparked public outrage when six armed individuals attacked the guards and stole over five million pesos. The victims publicly reported that the incident left workers without pay, demanding prompt responses that never materialized.
Additionally, a guard was reportedly murdered at the Nuevo Mundo cooperative in Dos Caminos, allegedly by thieves attempting to steal a mule. The victim was brutally attacked, and reports suggest one of the suspected attackers lived nearby, heightening residents' fears.
FAQs on Safety Concerns in Santiago de Cuba
What happened to the medical student in Santiago de Cuba?
Dariannis Ramírez Rodríguez, a medical student, was robbed at the Calle 4 terminal in Santiago de Cuba. The thief snatched her phone and threatened her with a weapon.
How are residents responding to the crime wave in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents have resorted to community justice, capturing and detaining criminals themselves due to the authorities' slow response and lack of action.
What are the authorities doing about the rising crime in Santiago de Cuba?
There is significant criticism of the authorities for their inaction and slow response times, contributing to a sense of impunity among criminals.