A violent brawl erupted Saturday afternoon near La Barca de Oro in Santiago de Cuba's José Martí district, resulting in one man being urgently transported to a city hospital after sustaining injuries.
Independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada shared the news on his Facebook page, highlighting accounts from eyewitnesses who were present during the incident.
Witnesses reported that machetes were brandished during the altercation. The precise reasons behind the conflict remain unclear at this time.
Those involved reportedly hailed from different neighborhoods, including San Pedrito and the Vicoa apartments. Additionally, it is alleged that the son of a local sugarcane juice vendor was part of the fray.
Police Response and Community Reaction
The substantial police operation drew considerable attention from local residents. Numerous patrol cars, ambulances, and police officers, including black beret units in larger vehicles, arrived at the scene, causing alarm among the community.
The black berets, members of the Brigada Especial Nacional (BEN) under the Ministry of the Interior (MININT), are an elite unit known for suppressing protests and antisocial activities, recognizable by their black uniforms. Their involvement in a street fight underscores the scale of the response.
Context of Rising Violence
San Pedrito, one of the neighborhoods implicated, has a long-standing reputation as one of Santiago de Cuba's most troubled areas, with gang presence and rivalries with other city districts.
La Barca de Oro has also been a hotspot for social tension. In May 2024, the government militarized this and other areas of Santiago de Cuba following protests over power outages and food shortages. In March 2025, it became a scene of pot-banging protests against the regime, met with a police response that included the black berets.
This incident occurs amid a sustained escalation of violence in the province. Just the day before, Santiago de Cuba residents captured a machete-wielding thief in Veguita de Galo in the absence of police intervention. Cubalex recorded 53 security incidents in February 2026 alone in the city.
Data from the Observatorio Cubano de Auditoría Ciudadana (OCAC) indicate that Santiago de Cuba ranks fourth nationwide for confirmed crimes, with 323 cases in 2025 out of a total of 2,833 across Cuba, marking a 115% increase from 2024.
Mayeta Labrada stated that his page will continue to seek further details about the incident: "Our page will keep looking for more information about this incident and the injured individual's condition."
Increased Crime and Police Presence in Santiago de Cuba
What led to the machete brawl in Santiago de Cuba?
The exact reasons for the machete brawl remain unknown, though it involved individuals from various neighborhoods.
Why were black berets involved in the police response?
Black berets, part of the Brigada Especial Nacional, were involved due to their role in addressing protests and antisocial activities, highlighting the seriousness of the incident.
How does this incident relate to the broader context of violence in Santiago de Cuba?
This incident is part of a broader pattern of rising violence in Santiago de Cuba, with increased crime rates and numerous security incidents recorded recently.