On May 1, Ernesto Ramírez Ramos, a 23-year-old resident of San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, tragically lost his life in a violent incident. This heartbreaking event was reported by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada on his "Súbelo Mayeta" platform.
The primary suspect in this case is Brayan Aguilera, a known offender within the community, with a history of violence involving knives.
Those who were acquainted with Ernesto, born on August 31, 2002, describe him as a peaceful individual, free from conflicts, and well-loved in his neighborhood.
The Perils of Impunity
What makes this case particularly alarming is the background of the alleged perpetrator. Back in August 2025, Brayan Aguilera, then a minor, was stabbed at "Bajo 0" bar in San Luis and urgently transported to the "La Colonia" Children's Hospital.
Mayeta Labrada had previously covered that incident, but faced hostility from the young man's father, who opted for silence instead of cooperation with the media.
Fast forward nine months, and the once-victim has now become the alleged murderer of a fellow young resident.
A Community in Mourning
The grief over Ernesto's untimely death has spread across social media, with friends and family remembering him as a vibrant and beloved young man. "You've left a void that can't be filled," one close friend lamented. Another recalled their shared laughter, daily chats, and dreams that will remain unfulfilled.
Marcos Chong, a friend of Ernesto's, shared a poignant farewell letter on the "Revolico, San Luis" Facebook group, revealing a chilling detail: "It's unbelievable that the last thing you told me was to be careful, that there were 15 and 16-year-olds stabbing people for no reason. And now they took you like that."
A Worrying Pattern Across Cuba
Sadly, San Luis is no stranger to such tragedies. In November 2024, the Peña Sablón family was brutally murdered, and their home set ablaze in the Chamarreta neighborhood, with no official response from the authorities.
Similarly, in June 2025, another young man was fatally stabbed during a robbery in Contramaestre, also in Santiago de Cuba, allegedly by three 17-year-olds.
This troubling pattern is not isolated to one area. The Cuban Citizens' Audit Observatory reported a staggering increase in crime throughout the island in 2025: 1,319 crimes in the first half of the year alone, a 115% rise from 2024 and a 336% increase compared to 2023. The statistics included 63 murders and an average of 7.3 daily crimes.
A Call for Justice
Julia Elena Jareno Varcárcel, a user, pointedly criticized the regime's priorities, accusing state security and police forces of focusing more on suppressing dissent than protecting everyday citizens amid rising murders, thefts, femicides, assaults, and neighborhood violence.
On the same day of the crime, recently released prisoners in Santiago de Cuba were reportedly coerced into marching under threat of losing legal benefits, a stark illustration of the regime's real priorities.
In 2025, independent observatories Alas Tensas and Yo Sí Te Creo in Cuba documented 48 femicides across the country.
Now, the residents of San Luis are left wondering if justice will be served or if impunity will prevail once more. "Will money, influence, and connections be used to get Brayan out of this, as before? Because that happens in Cuba. And everyone knows it," warned Mayeta Labrada.
"Ernesto isn't coming back. But justice must be served. And it must be served now," concluded the journalist.
Understanding the Rise in Crime in Cuba
What are the recent crime statistics in Cuba?
In 2025, Cuba witnessed a significant rise in crime, with 1,319 crimes reported in just the first half of the year. This marked a 115% increase from 2024 and a 336% rise compared to 2023, including 63 murders.
How has the Cuban government responded to the increase in crime?
Critics argue that the Cuban government has prioritized suppressing dissent over addressing the surge in crime, as evidenced by their focus on monitoring activists and opposition figures rather than protecting citizens from violence.
What is the impact of impunity on crime in Cuba?
The lack of accountability and consequences for violent acts has contributed to a culture of impunity, leading to repeated offenses and a sense of insecurity among the Cuban population.