Recent insights have surfaced regarding the heinous crime that took place in the early hours of August 11 in Havana, where a young man named Yosvani Hernández Meriño, also known as El Moro or Pocholo, was brutally stabbed to death. Contrary to initial reports suggesting a brawl at a party following a lottery win, new information provided by a close family member to journalist Wilfredo Cancio for Café Fuerte unveils a more sinister plot: a premeditated murder orchestrated by two young individuals whom the victim had welcomed into his home.
The family narrative begins with Yosvani meeting Yurixandre Batista Batista, a young man from Holguín without a place to stay in Havana. Their paths crossed near Yosvani’s workplace, where he served as a janitor at a small business in Centro Habana. Touched by Yurixandre’s predicament, Yosvani offered him a place to stay in his home located in the Lawton neighborhood of the Diez de Octubre municipality. Soon after, Yurixandre requested if a friend of his from the province of Granma could also stay, to which Yosvani, known for his generosity, agreed. Tragically, this act of kindness would eventually lead to a deadly betrayal.
Chilling Murder During a Power Outage
As per testimonies gathered by Café Fuerte, the young men coldly planned the murder. During a blackout, while Yosvani was in the bathroom, they hid knives beneath a mattress he used to sleep on in the backyard during power outages. Upon exiting the bathroom, he was ambushed. Yurixandre restrained him by the neck while they repeatedly stabbed him to death. The body, later concealed under the mattress, bore ten to fourteen stab wounds, along with a deep cut to the neck.
The motive behind this gruesome act was robbery. The assailants made off with televisions, fans, a power generator, clothing, and anything else they could carry. They packed the stolen goods into suitcases and attempted to hail a taxi to Old Havana. The driver, who agreed to the ride for 5,000 pesos, was taken aback by the cargo. They claimed it was from their grandmother’s house. Unable to pay for the fare, they offered the driver three fans as compensation.
Fortunately, the investigation led to the recovery of all the stolen items. The buyer is currently in custody, along with Yurixandre Batista Batista, who has been apprehended by the police. However, his accomplice from Granma remains at large, though authorities claim to have located him in that province.
“Yosvani was my life; what happened is immensely painful, especially considering how he was killed,” expressed a family member in an interview with Café Fuerte, choosing to remain anonymous.
Pocholo's Legacy and Memory
Hernández Meriño, who was 33 years old, will be remembered not only as a victim of violence but also for his civic engagement and generosity. He was one of the protestors during the July 11, 2021 demonstrations, was detained the following day, and was savagely beaten at the Youth Prison in Cotorro, from which he was released a few days later, according to the source. Those who knew him described him as a cheerful, hard-working, and selfless man, willing to go without food to share with his neighbors. His death has left a deep void in his family, particularly affecting his seven-year-old daughter, now fatherless.
The news of the murder began circulating piecemeal in the early hours of August 11. Local accounts compiled by the site Reporte Cuba Ya claimed the body was discovered around 4:00 a.m., bearing multiple stab wounds and covered with a mattress. At the time, it was rumored that the victim had celebrated at home after winning an underground lottery known as La Bolita. There was even talk of up to eight individuals being involved, with three arrests made shortly thereafter. Café Fuerte’s family source has since debunked these initial reports.
This brutal murder of Yosvani takes place amidst a backdrop of rising violence in Cuba. In 2024, the Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit (OCAC) recorded a total of 1,317 criminal incidents, marking a 50.72% increase compared to 2023. The report also warns that these figures are likely underreported due to the lack of transparency from official media.
Questions About Havana's Increasing Crime and Violence
What are the new details about Yosvani Hernández Meriño’s murder?
The murder was premeditated by two young men whom Yosvani had taken in. They devised the plan during a power outage, ambushing and stabbing him multiple times for the purpose of robbery.
What was the motive behind the murder?
The murder was driven by robbery. The perpetrators stole electronics, clothing, and other valuables from Yosvani's home.
How has the community reacted to Yosvani's death?
The death of Yosvani has shocked the community, particularly impacting his family and young daughter. He was known for his generous and cheerful nature.