Daylight Theft in Cárdenas Sparks Outrage Online: "Crime Has Free Reign"

A brazen theft of an EcoFlow energy station in broad daylight at a home in Cárdenas, Matanzas, has ignited a wave of outrage on social media, reigniting discussions about security issues and the prevailing sense of impunity in Cuba.

Annelyss Gómez took to Facebook to publicly recount the incident, detailing how a group of individuals forcibly entered the residence and targeted the equipment. "How much longer will people in Cuba continue to turn against each other? It takes a lot of nerve to show up at a house at 2:00 PM with a crowbar, break down the door, and head straight for my mom's EcoFlow," she wrote.

Gómez emphasized that the equipment was not a luxury but a necessity obtained through hard work from abroad. "We are not wealthy; we work and struggle to ensure our families have at least the essentials," she stated. She also noted that the thieves seemed to have prior knowledge of the location and the item they sought. "They knew exactly where it was and took nothing else," she pointed out.

The theft occurred "at 2:00 PM on February 8 on Tenería Street between Amistad and Neptuno," Gómez specified, highlighting it as a typically busy area. "In a block that usually has people around, today no one saw anything. This is where we are," she lamented.

In her post, Gómez also voiced her frustration over the lack of consequences for such actions. "Cuba is in a bad state, and nothing will happen because even if they took fingerprints, if the person isn't a known criminal, nothing will come of it," she wrote. She made it clear that she refuses to remain silent: "But I'm not going to stay quiet. Enough is enough."

The post drew dozens of comments from people expressing solidarity, anger, and concern for the vulnerability of the elderly. One user warned, "Now be careful with your grandmother alone at home; these shameless people take advantage." Another remarked, "It's not a luxury; it's a necessity, especially if there are elderly people at home."

Many comments suggested that the theft was not random. "This wasn't done by a stranger; it was planned by someone familiar with the house," one user wrote. Another reiterated that point, stating, "This came from very close; nobody unfamiliar with the house would dare."

The perception of impunity was a recurring theme in the reactions. "If the laws were stronger, thieves wouldn't roam the streets in packs, returning as if nothing happened," one user opined. Another summed up the general sentiment by stating, "CRIME has free reign now."

There were also direct criticisms of the lack of institutional response. "Where's the police?" one person asked, while another reflected the resignation many feel: "People are always around, and yet no one sees anything; that's our reality."

Several messages stressed the importance of taking extra precautions with the elderly. "Tell the elderly not to open the door for anyone," a user advised, echoing a widespread fear across various parts of the country.

Crime Patterns in Cuba

The incident in Cárdenas adds to a series of recent crimes that have come to light in different provinces. In Havana, a family reported a massive theft from their home, where thieves took numerous belongings, including a husky dog that was part of the family.

In Artemisa, security cameras captured multiple individuals entering residential yards at night to steal roosters, directly impacting families that depend on raising animals for food or economic support.

Reports of thefts targeting workers and content creators, with essential equipment being stolen, have also surfaced.

Although these cases are varied, they share common elements: thefts occurring at any time of day, essential goods being taken, and a citizenry expressing feelings of vulnerability. Annelyss Gómez's report thus joins a collection of testimonies reflecting growing concerns and a loss of faith in the ability to respond to crime effectively.