Bayamo is currently gripped by concern following a public accusation of alleged child abuse, which was brought to light by Yonimiler Del Río Polo on Facebook.
The post, which quickly gained widespread attention, describes a situation where a young girl is reportedly being physically abused by her own father.
The most shocking element of the post is a video showing the girl with noticeable bruises on her face, recounting to a woman that her father assaulted her first with a belt and then with his hand.
The girl explains that the beating happened after she mentioned being hungry and asked for a drink, a revelation that has sparked widespread outrage.
Del Río Polo also mentioned that the girl is currently under the custody of her father, identified as Niorgel Bruzuela, after her mother left for Guyana.
To protect the girl's identity, her name was omitted by the accuser, who clarified that the aim was to shield her from future harassment or stigma.
The report also includes the alleged abuser's address: Calle 14, between 26 de Julio and 19, in the Ciro Redondo area of Bayamo, urging the community to share the information so that authorities can take swift action.
"This cannot go unpunished," Yonimiler insisted.
A Growing Pattern of Alarming Reports
This severe case comes amid a national backdrop marked by numerous recent reports of child abuse, also circulated on social media, prompting official intervention.
Last week in Cienfuegos, residents of the San Lázaro area raised the alarm when a two-year-old boy disclosed that his mother had burned him with coffee.
Another video indicated that the woman had also scalded her other two children with hot water.
The mother, identified as Marlenis Cosme Nodal, is under investigation, and the children have been placed under the supervision of state entities such as the Ministry of the Interior, the Prosecutor's Office, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security.
This incident has sparked debate over the boundaries and responsibilities of using social media to report abuse: while these platforms can highlight real dangers, they can also unnecessarily expose minors if not used carefully.
Deep-Rooted Issues in Child Protection
Another recent incident in Ceballos, Ciego de Ávila, shocked the nation: a video showed a mother brutally beating her young daughter, who was tied up in a yard, while another individual recorded the abuse without intervening.
The woman was identified as Elizabeth González Díaz, known locally for a history of violence according to neighbors.
The children were moved to a shelter for minors without family support, and both the mother and stepfather face charges for "Other Acts Contrary to the Comprehensive Development of Minors."
Experts in child protection emphasize that child abuse in Cuba is deeply rooted in cultural norms, where violence as a discipline method remains normalized in many homes.
Factors such as poverty, stress, alcoholism, and domestic violence often exacerbate the risk.
The latest statistics highlight the alarming trend: from January to August 2025, hospitals in Matanzas treated four minors for abuse, surpassing the three cases recorded for the entire year of 2024.
The recent report in Bayamo is not an isolated event but rather additional evidence of a troubling situation.
Citizens demand swift responses and decisive actions to safeguard the child and ensure that the authorities clarify the facts and act responsibly and transparently.
In the meantime, the community continues to share the case on social networks, hoping that this time intervention arrives promptly.
Understanding the Crisis of Child Abuse in Cuba
What sparked the concern in Bayamo?
The concern in Bayamo was sparked by a Facebook post by Yonimiler Del Río Polo, alleging that a young girl was being abused by her father, which gained rapid attention online.
How has social media influenced these child abuse cases?
Social media platforms have played a crucial role in bringing attention to these cases, although they also raise concerns about the exposure of minors if not handled carefully.
What cultural factors contribute to child abuse in Cuba?
Child abuse in Cuba is often linked to cultural norms that tolerate violence as a method of discipline, alongside factors like poverty, stress, and domestic violence.