A young man was caught red-handed attempting to steal a cow from the grounds of the former Salvador Rosales sugar mill, known as Algodonal, in Santiago de Cuba. Local residents restrained him, tying his hands and forcing him to walk behind a horse-drawn cart through various streets in the community of Songo-La Maya, aiming to publicly shame him. This action served not only to expose the thief but also to warn others contemplating similar crimes, as reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his Facebook profile.
This incident highlights the absence of law enforcement in rural areas of Santiago de Cuba, where residents often take on roles that should be managed by the government. Amidst the ongoing food crisis, livestock have become frequent targets for thieves, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
Cuban farmers have been vocal about the rampant theft and slaughter of cattle, which continues to spiral out of control in the countryside, severely affecting both the agricultural economy and food security. The surge in cattle rustling has left owners in a state of constant vigilance, sacrificing sleep to guard their livestock and risking becoming victims themselves.
Despite government claims of intervention, ranchers argue that the illegal slaughter and sale of cattle meat persist with little consequence, particularly in livestock-rich provinces like Camagüey, Sancti Spíritus, Villa Clara, and Ciego de Ávila, as reported by the state-run media Cubadebate. The spike in criminal activity across Cuba is closely tied to the economic crisis, where resource shortages and ineffective governance have undermined public safety, leading to an increase in thefts and petty crimes that directly impact citizens.
On Saturday, news emerged of the arrest of a cattle ranch manager and his brother, accused of illegally slaughtering two horses from the El Corojal livestock unit in the municipality of Rafael Freyre, Holguín province. Just days earlier, a group of 10 masked and armed horsemen raided a cooperative in Limoncito, Cacocum municipality, forcefully taking nearly 60 heads of cattle. The heist, reminiscent of a Wild West film, occurred at the local Basic Unit of Cooperative Production (UBPC) and involved the temporary abduction of several employees and guards, who were released several kilometers away. The attackers operated with blatant disregard for the law, including one fugitive among them, instilling fear among local residents for their safety and possessions.
In an unusual criminal act in August in the José Martí District of Santiago de Cuba, two young men were robbed of their horse-drawn carriage and the animal itself. Earlier that month, in the Santiago village of El Cristo, a masked and gloved man stole a horse in the dead of night. Despite being captured on security footage and immediately reported by the victims, the police had yet to announce any investigation at the time of the report.
Understanding Livestock Theft in Cuba
Why is livestock theft increasing in Cuba?
The increase in livestock theft in Cuba is closely linked to the country's economic crisis. The scarcity of resources and ineffective government measures have led to a rise in criminal activities, including thefts targeting cattle, which are valuable assets in rural communities.
How are communities responding to the lack of law enforcement?
In response to the absence of adequate law enforcement, communities in rural Cuba have taken matters into their own hands. They often organize to protect their assets, as seen in the public shaming of a thief in Santiago de Cuba, as a means of deterring future crimes.
What impact does cattle theft have on Cuban farmers?
Cattle theft severely impacts Cuban farmers by disrupting the agricultural economy and threatening food security. Farmers are forced to stay vigilant, often sacrificing their own rest and safety to protect their livestock from thieves.