A brutal machete attack on Friday afternoon left a 76-year-old man, Wilfredo Calzadilla, critically injured in the El Castillito area, near kilometer 11.5 in Santiago de Cuba. The incident has sparked outrage and concern among local residents, who are demanding swift action from authorities.
According to a local source requesting anonymity for safety reasons, the assailant has been identified as Roberto Vega, a man allegedly known for scams involving the sale of television parts. After the attack, Vega fled the scene and remains at large, despite a police report having been filed. Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared this information on his Facebook profile.
Calzadilla's family reported that he suffered multiple injuries and was urgently transported to his daughter's home in Veguita de Galo, where he is receiving care due to the seriousness of his wounds. As of now, there has been no official police statement or details on what led to the attack.
Community's Growing Concerns
The children of the victim have taken it upon themselves to search for the perpetrator, given the lack of official progress. The attack has heightened fears in Santiago's rural area, with locals reporting an increase in violent crimes without effective response from authorities. Residents are calling for better control and security, voicing their concern over a growing sense of impunity endangering the province's vulnerable communities.
On September 1st, another violent incident occurred in the José Martí District of Santiago de Cuba, resulting in two people being injured with knives and a "considerable sum" of money being stolen. Weeks prior, a violent attack on several women at the intersection of Trocha and Cristina streets shocked onlookers.
Rising Crime in Santiago de Cuba
Recent weeks have seen numerous alarming incidents of street violence in Santiago de Cuba, underscoring the increasing insecurity on the island. A spate of stabbings rocked the city as two violent acts happened on the same day, highlighting the rise in public aggression and danger.
Days later, a violent brawl erupted outside a cell phone repair shop, with several individuals clashing in the street. The case involving the alleged "cannibal killer" of Santiago de Cuba still grips the community, amid suspicions that José Luis Fernández Torres, 60, may be behind the gruesome murder of Ángel Luis Mercantety Quiñones and the disappearance of other locals from the Abel Santamaría neighborhood.
In June, the eastern Cuban region was shaken by the torture and murder of a 70-year-old farmer in Quintoque, committed for theft. Earlier months saw a student severely injured during a violent altercation at the "Antonio Maceo" Vocational School of Exact Sciences.
Residents have also reported armed gangs of minors committing thefts and assaults on Santiago streets, with no effective solutions from authorities. The Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory warned that in 2024, over two crimes a day were reported in the country, marking more than a 50% increase over the previous year. Santiago, along with Matanzas, Havana, and Holguín, tops the list of the most affected provinces.
FAQs on Rising Crime in Santiago de Cuba
What is being done to address the increase in violence in Santiago de Cuba?
Residents are calling for more effective control and security measures from authorities, but as of now, there have been no significant official responses to curb the violence.
Who are the main suspects in recent violent incidents?
Roberto Vega is suspected in the recent machete attack on Wilfredo Calzadilla, and José Luis Fernández Torres is suspected in a series of violent crimes, including a murder case.
How have recent crimes affected the community in Santiago de Cuba?
The community is increasingly alarmed and concerned about the rise in violent incidents, leading to a heightened sense of insecurity and demands for better protection.