Motorbike Taxi Driver Nearly Killed: Unraveling the Criminal Network in Sancti Spíritus

The near-fatal attack on a motorbike taxi driver in Sancti Spíritus this past November has revealed an extensive criminal network involving the assailant and three others from the province of Ciego de Ávila. This development came to light following an investigation by the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).

The victim, a 57-year-old self-employed individual licensed to carry passengers, suffered the attack on November 13 along the Central Highway near the Palo Bridge and the entrance to the Zaza Hotel. His name remains undisclosed.

Prior to the incident, the attacker, posing as a customer, had hired the driver's services. The journey initially took them to the town of Alicante, then to Tuinucú for medication, and finally to the entrance of the Zaza Hotel, under the pretext of catching a ride to Ciego de Ávila.

In the isolated location, the supposed passenger struck the driver's head with a hammer while the motorcycle was in motion. Both fell to the ground, where the attacker then restrained the driver by the neck, threatening to kill him if he cried out, moved, or reported the incident to the police, as detailed in a report published by the official site Cubadebate.

The assailant fled on the victim's black Panther 125 CC motorcycle, also taking a backpack containing cash, legal documents, and a mobile phone.

The Investigation and Arrests

Following the report of the attack, a specialized Minint team was assembled to investigate. Lieutenant Colonel Rolando Rodríguez Carmenate from the Provincial Criminal Investigation Unit in Sancti Spíritus explained the investigative process.

Leads directed the authorities to Ciro Redondo in Ciego de Ávila, where the primary suspect was apprehended and later identified by the victim.

By late November, the Facebook profile "Avileños de Corazón," linked to Minint, identified the assailant as José Luis González Valgas. The report indicated swift police action, leading to the suspect's arrest shortly after the robbery, and the recovery of the motorcycle in the possession of alleged accomplices.

Rodríguez Carmenate confirmed the arrest of four individuals in Ciego de Ávila, attributing the success to anonymous tips, effective investigative work, and collaboration among various Minint specialties.

Uncovering the Broader Crime Network

The investigation led to the arrest of the stolen motorcycle's receiver in the village of Fallas, who exchanged it for an electric scooter of unknown origin. Another individual was detained in Chambas for dismantling the motorcycle and selling its parts in Camagüey. Lastly, in Pina, the person who hid the scooter traded for the stolen Panther was also caught.

Lieutenant Colonel Rodríguez Carmenate noted all suspects confessed, and while the motorcycle was retrieved in parts, the unit in Camagüey and the victim's phone remain missing.

"This theft was not an isolated incident; it was part of a well-orchestrated criminal chain," stated the Minint officer. The police investigation uncovered a "clandestine economic circuit" involving the vehicle's transport to another province, exchange for a scooter, disassembly, fragmented sale, and concealment of assets.

A judicial process for robbery with violence and intimidation, one of the most severe offenses under Cuba's Penal Code, has been initiated.

The attack highlighted the grave risk faced by the victim, who narrowly escaped with his life.

Though the driver is recovering from his injuries, he remains haunted by the experience, hesitant to trust new passengers. "He drives with a lump in his throat, remembering the hands that nearly choked the life out of him," described the report.

This assault echoes a recent tragedy that shocked the Sancti Spíritus community: the murder of teacher Santiago Diosdado Morgado Morgado in July 2022, also over a motorcycle theft—his means of livelihood.

Even three years later, the public continues to report frequent, similarly violent robberies, highlighting the lack of protection on the streets.

Cities and towns across Cuba are grappling with increased insecurity, driven by economic turmoil, inadequate government oversight, and rising impunity.