A Cuban national lost his life on Tuesday night following a shooting at the barbershop where he worked in the Mexican state of Tabasco, according to initial reports.
The victim has been identified by acquaintances as José Miguel Costafreda Román, a 29-year-old originally from Santiago de Cuba. He had settled in Mexico after being deported from the United States, as reported by the Facebook page Nio reporting a crime.
Mexican media outlets disclosed that at the time of the incident, the Cuban man was inside the barbershop where he was employed as a barber, located on Hermenegildo Galeana and Ignacio Zaragoza streets in the city of Tecolutilla, within the municipality of Comalcalco.
Witnesses noted that two armed individuals arrived on a motorcycle, entered the establishment, and shot the Cuban at least three times in the back, inflicting fatal wounds. The assailants fled the scene immediately, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
According to El Heraldo de Tabasco, officers from the municipal Secretariat of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), alongside paramedics, responded to the site and subsequently confirmed the victim's death.
Investigators from the state's Attorney General's Office (FGE) conducted an examination of the crime scene, and the body was transported to the Forensic Medical Service, awaiting a family member to complete the necessary legal identification and arrangements for the remains.
Costafreda's murder is under investigation. As of this report, authorities in Tabasco have yet to release official details about the incident or the capture of any suspects.
María Albert Hernández, a journalist from Tabasco, informed the Cuban newspaper 14ymedio that the attack might have been instigated by the young Cuban's refusal to pay "protection money," a fee demanded by criminal gangs in exchange for allowing individuals to work. This type of extortion is a widespread crime in the Mexican state, she pointed out.
People close to Costafreda indicated that he previously lived in the United States. Florida state police records show prior offenses committed in Tampa in January and November 2024. After being deported to Mexico, he settled in Tabasco, where he had worked as a barber for several months.
The crime has deeply affected the Cuban community, highlighting the precarious situation faced by hundreds of migrants from the island in Mexico, who are caught between economic hardship and criminal violence.
Understanding the Impact of Crime on Cuban Migrants in Mexico
What led to the attack on José Miguel Costafreda Román?
The attack might have been triggered by Costafreda's refusal to pay "protection money" to criminal gangs, a common extortion practice in the area.
How has the crime affected the Cuban community in Mexico?
The murder has significantly impacted the Cuban community, underscoring the vulnerable position many migrants face due to financial instability and criminal threats.
What actions are being taken by authorities in response to this crime?
Authorities are currently investigating the murder, but no official information or suspect arrests have been announced yet.