The identity of the third murder victim attributed to the violent killer Arisley Cabeza Reyes, also known as "Perico," has been confirmed as Mercedes Cantero Rodríguez, better known as "La Mora." She was 64 years old and was allegedly strangled by Cabeza Reyes, a fugitive inmate recently apprehended in Bahía Honda by the Ministry of the Interior forces.
An Illicit Relationship Ending in Tragedy
Cantero Rodríguez was reportedly involved in a secretive romantic relationship with her alleged murderer, who was serving a sentence for theft under a lenient regime that allowed him to work at a hospital. According to sources cited by Martí Noticias, she frequently visited him, bringing food and other goods. Tragically, this trust was betrayed as Cabeza Reyes not only strangled her but also stole her money and motorcycle.
Her body was discovered on September 2nd in an advanced state of decomposition beneath her bed in the San Justo community. Neighbors alerted police after detecting a strong odor emanating from her home. Forensic experts concluded she had been dead for at least three days. The Artemisa funeral home confirmed the cause of death as strangulation, and due to her body's condition, a wake could not be held.
Rising Feminicide Numbers in Cuba
This case elevates the number of verified feminicides in Cuba to 31 for the year 2025, according to independent observatories Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba. Feminist organizations have highlighted La Mora's case as indicative of the pervasive pattern of gender-based violence on the island. Ileana Álvarez, director of Alas Tensas, noted that in 2024, 89.3% of feminicides were committed by intimate partners or men with close ties to the victims.
"We classify this as a feminicide because the perpetrator was someone she had a relationship with. Even if it wasn't a romantic relationship, it remains a social feminicide due to her vulnerability as a woman over 60 who knew the assailant, who exploited her trust to rob and kill her," Álvarez explained to DIARIO DE CUBA.
She expressed concern over the increasing feminicides of older women, emphasizing that these are not isolated incidents but part of a structural phenomenon of dominance and trust abuse.
The Capture of a Serial Killer
Arisley Cabeza Reyes was already a focal point of shock in Artemisa due to the brutal murders of Francisco Torres Rodríguez, aged 80, and his son Yaciel Torres Remedio, aged 46. Their bodies were found on September 5th at their El Cusco farm, located in the mountainous region of Candelaria, near Las Terrazas. The father and son were violently attacked, allegedly by Cabeza Reyes, who was seeking money from a cattle sale they had made.
After several days on the run, Cabeza Reyes was cornered by police on September 12th in Bahía Honda. Facing capture, he attempted suicide by shooting himself in the head. He was in critical condition and initially taken to a local hospital before being transferred to Calixto García in Havana, where he remains under police guard.
Insecurity on the Rise in Cuba
The triple homicide linked to Cabeza Reyes occurs amid a backdrop of social decay and escalating violence in Cuba. The Cuban Observatory of Citizen Audit reported at least 1,319 crimes, including 63 murders and 721 robberies, from January to June 2025, figures that challenge the authorities' narrative minimizing crime rates. For residents of San Justo, La Mora's death not only leaves a painful void but also underscores the lack of security provided by the Cuban state.
"She was well-liked in the neighborhood, making a living through sales, and she had money," lamented one resident.
The case of Mercedes Cantero Rodríguez extends beyond being the third confirmed victim of a serial killer; it is a stark portrayal of abandonment and the ongoing threat of gender violence that continues to claim lives in today's Cuba.
Understanding the Surge in Violence and Feminicides in Cuba
Who was Arisley Cabeza Reyes?
Arisley Cabeza Reyes, also known as "Perico," is a fugitive inmate accused of multiple murders in Artemisa, Cuba, including that of Mercedes Cantero Rodríguez, Francisco Torres Rodríguez, and his son Yaciel Torres Remedio.
What was the nature of the relationship between Mercedes Cantero Rodríguez and her alleged killer?
Mercedes Cantero Rodríguez and her alleged killer, Arisley Cabeza Reyes, had a clandestine romantic relationship. She often visited him and brought him food and goods while he was serving a sentence for theft.
How has the number of feminicides changed in Cuba recently?
As of 2025, Cuba has recorded 31 verified feminicides, highlighting an increase in gender-based violence on the island. This reflects a broader structural issue involving dominance and abuse of trust.