In a scene reminiscent of the Wild West, highlighting the escalating insecurity in Cuba's rural areas, over ten armed men, including a fugitive, stormed a production cooperative in Cacocum, Holguín. This event struck fear into the hearts of workers and residents alike.
The harrowing incident took place at the Limoncito Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC). The criminals, masked and on horseback, overpowered everyone present and made off with nearly 60 cattle. This meticulously orchestrated crime also involved the temporary abduction of guards and an employee, who were released a few miles away, unharmed but psychologically shaken.
According to the "Cazador Cazado" Facebook profile, which is closely linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), the scale of the assault challenged local authorities. An immediate operation led to the arrest of seven individuals, all with criminal records. They were identified as Yosvani Pérez, Erisbel Peña, Saidin Gómez, Mariano Rivero, Rafael Arias, Robersi Lahera (known as “El Bechi”), and Alberto Almarales, all from the Urbano Noris municipality.
During the crackdown, more than 20 cows were retrieved, along with tools, items, and evidence of slaughter, indicating intentions to illegally sell the meat. Nevertheless, the case remains unresolved, as some suspects are still at large, and the investigation suggests a much larger criminal network, with extensive regional ties.
Rural Areas Grapple with Rising Crime
For farmers and agricultural workers, this incident is not isolated but rather a symptom of the declining social order in the country. Violence in Cuban countryside regions has surged in recent years. Livestock and crop thefts have become commonplace, driven by the severe economic and food crisis gripping the Island, exacerbated by inadequate police oversight. While authorities showcase isolated arrests, the public claims that crime is outpacing state responses.
A Reflection of Broader Instability
The events in Holguín starkly reveal a painful reality: despite official rhetoric of peace and order, rural communities live in constant fear of armed gangs on horseback pillaging what little they have left. For many, the Cacocum incident is not merely an account of a thwarted robbery but a signal of the crumbling security within the country and the regime's inability to ensure even a minimal level of stability amidst crisis.
Understanding the Insecurity in Cuba's Rural Areas
What led to the increase in rural violence in Cuba?
The rise in rural violence is largely due to the severe economic and food crises in Cuba, along with insufficient police control, which have exacerbated thefts and lawlessness in these areas.
How did the authorities respond to the Holguín incident?
Authorities quickly launched an operation that resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, all with prior criminal records, and the recovery of over 20 stolen cattle.