Authorities from the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) returned stolen goods on Thursday to El Cliente store, located near the provincial pediatric hospital in Matanzas, after they were taken in the early hours of the previous day. The recovered items included seven sacks of rice, a 40-kilogram pickaxe, 49 kilograms of sugar, 1.2 kilograms of powdered milk, 10 pounds of salt, five bath soaps, five laundry soaps, a table fan, an electric coffee maker, and a music speaker.
Thanks to the investigation, those responsible were identified and apprehended, confessing to the crime, as reported on the official Facebook page of the Girón newspaper. However, this incident has sparked a broader discussion on the lack of security at such establishments.
The municipal trade director revealed that out of the 139 stores in the area, 27 lack security guards, despite having established positions. He acknowledged that low wages contribute to this shortfall. The store manager was held accountable for ensuring the protection of goods, even without security personnel.
Security Concerns and Administrative Response
Julio Miguel Jordán Padrón, the head of the municipal trade company, stated that an administrative review will be conducted "due to the failure to protect products adequately" and because the store was one of the locations without a security guard, which is the responsibility of the Basic Enterprise Unit. "If a unit lacks a guard, the administrator must find ways to better secure the products. These measures are crucial because replacing stolen items is very challenging given the country's current situation," he emphasized.
On social media, citizens criticized shifting the burden onto workers. "Pay more, and you'll see security guards appear," one user commented, while others protested that administrators are being forced to take on night shifts without extra compensation.
Ongoing Theft Issues and Broader Implications
According to sources, over 50 store robberies were reported in Matanzas in 2023. The number decreased to one in 2024, but three have already occurred in 2025. The persistence of these issues, amid shortages and power outages, fuels public perception of insecurity and institutional neglect.
In July, Betsy Díaz Velázquez, Minister of Internal Trade, disclosed to the Cuban parliamentary Services Committee that 163 thefts occurred in state-run stores during the first half of 2025, describing it as "an issue that cannot be contained." She warned of "a level of targeting of store thefts," yet failed to mention the ongoing scarcity of products in Cuban stores, which remain empty most of the time because the government cannot ensure the supply of food and other essential items to the population.
Recent Thefts and Community Involvement
In early August, unknown individuals stole 14 sacks of rice from a store located at the corner of Jesús del Sol and Beneficencia in the Guantánamo municipality, in the early hours of a Monday morning. Police investigations, with community support, led to the identification of at least three suspects, the recovery of some of the stolen rice, and the seizure of cash obtained from its sale to illicit buyers. One buyer voluntarily returned a sack of rice upon realizing its illegal origin, according to official reports.
A month prior, two store managers in San Miguel del Padrón were allegedly caught in the act while transferring sacks of rice and peas they were reportedly stealing from state warehouses. Authorities allegedly found 15 sacks of peas and 10 sacks of rice in the store, already set aside for removal. Additionally, searches of the managers' homes reportedly uncovered 14 more sacks of rice.
In early June, official media in Sancti Spíritus reported that Minint forces dismantled a network involved in the theft and illegal resale of liquefied gas canisters between January and May of this year. The General Prosecutor's Office confirmed investigations into criminal proceedings in Havana and Sancti Spíritus for the theft of essential goods for the population, amid growing social unrest over increasing corruption at all levels, lack of control, rising prices of basic products, and impunity in strategic sectors.
In a related development, 197 sacks of powdered milk, intended for regulated distribution to children under two years old — one of the most vulnerable groups during the current crisis — were stolen from a state refrigerator in the municipality of Habana del Este.
Cuban citizens have expressed growing concern over the rise in crime in various parts of the country, particularly violent robberies, assaults, and thefts in broad daylight. These incidents fuel the debate on public safety in Cuba, where many citizens feel increasingly vulnerable to the impunity of criminals.
Crime and Safety in Cuba: Key Questions
What items were recovered from the Matanzas store burglary?
The recovered items included seven sacks of rice, a 40-kilogram pickaxe, 49 kilograms of sugar, 1.2 kilograms of powdered milk, 10 pounds of salt, five bath soaps, five laundry soaps, a table fan, an electric coffee maker, and a music speaker.
What actions are being taken to address the lack of security in Cuban stores?
Authorities are conducting administrative reviews and emphasizing the need for measures to better secure products, especially in stores lacking security guards. Low wages are identified as a contributing factor to the shortage of security staff.
How has the number of store robberies changed in Matanzas over recent years?
In 2023, over 50 store robberies were reported in Matanzas. The number decreased to one in 2024, but three have already occurred in 2025, indicating a resurgence in such incidents.
What broader implications do these thefts have for Cuban society?
The ongoing thefts contribute to public perceptions of insecurity and institutional neglect, exacerbated by shortages and power outages. These incidents also highlight issues of corruption and lack of control in strategic sectors.