Cuban comedian Limay Blanco recently took to Facebook to voice his concerns over the safety of his wife and daughter. He claims they are threatened by a woman, reportedly suffering from psychiatric issues, who roams their block in the Obrero neighborhood of San Miguel de Padrón, Havana, armed with scissors.
"This video is directed at the police station in San Miguel de Padrón, the sector chief, the delegate of Barrio Obrero where I live, and the government of San Miguel de Padrón," Blanco begins in his recorded message.
The entertainer describes an ongoing situation that has persisted for about two months. During this time, he has repeatedly dialed emergency services at 106, mostly on Fridays and Saturdays, only to find that the police arrive too late to confront the issue.
"I've called 106 countless times; the patrols have come here, but by the time they arrive, she's already gone. There's no time, she's gone," he explains.
Blanco decided to take his grievance to social media after returning from his farm, only to learn from neighbors that the woman had attempted to climb his home's wall and had thrown a bottle, which luckily was plastic and didn't break the glass.
"My fear is the scissors she carries, which could be used to harm someone here," Blanco warns. He recounts an incident where she managed to enter his home, and he had to calmly escort her out to avoid provoking her.
On one occasion, the police managed to take the woman away, allegedly to the Mazorra psychiatric hospital, but she escaped the following day.
Blanco also shares stories from neighbors: one woman is afraid to leave her home after the aggressor shattered her windows with stones, and another reports that the woman hits her own young daughter and trespasses into the local primary school.
The comedian describes a frustrating predicament: "They say when a psychiatric patient is not in their right mind, you can't hit them, but from what I see, she can hit," he laments.
Adding to the difficulty of taking action is another hurdle stemming from Cuba's crisis: residents can't formally file complaints because there's no gasoline to travel to La Alcena, where the complaints must be submitted.
Blanco, who is also noted for his philanthropic work through the Christian ministry "Cristo Cambia Vidas," which provides homes to vulnerable families in Cuba, states that this is the first time he's sought help from the government.
"Government, please help me, help me, so I can have some peace in the midst of this storm. This is the first time in my life I'm asking the government for help," he says.
This situation highlights the declining public safety in Cuba, where, according to the Observatorio Cubano de Auditoría Ciudadana, verified crimes increased by 115% in 2025 compared to 2024. The police have been criticized for focusing more on political repression than addressing common crimes, and up to 20% of their forces are said to have left the service.
Understanding the Safety Concerns in Cuba
What prompted Limay Blanco to speak out?
Limay Blanco voiced his concerns after a woman with apparent psychiatric issues, armed with scissors, posed a threat to his family and neighborhood in Havana.
How has the local community been affected by this situation?
Neighbors have reported incidents of property damage and fear for their safety due to the woman's erratic behavior, which includes breaking windows and trespassing.
What challenges do residents face in addressing these threats?
Residents are unable to file formal complaints due to the lack of gasoline needed to travel to the appropriate location for submitting complaints, highlighting logistical issues amid Cuba's crisis.