Residents of El Vedado, a neighborhood in Havana, apprehended a man accused of stealing a cellphone from an elderly woman. The incident, captured on video, unveils a troubling detail: the suspected thief was on a temporary prison leave when the theft occurred.
The video, lasting just over a minute, was shared by independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada. It shows several locals confronting the man, demanding he return the phone and labeling him as “shameless” and a “repeat offender.”
One person in the video is heard saying, “This is the crime in this country. He just stole a phone from an elderly woman. Shameless, what a shameless person.”
At another point, the residents press the detainee to hand over the device: “Where’s the phone? Where did you give it? Where’s the phone?”
Inadequacies of the Cuban Penal System
The fact that the alleged thief was temporarily released highlights public concerns regarding the effectiveness of the Cuban penitentiary system. The current Penal Code (Law No. 151/2022) permits renewable leaves of up to 72 hours for inmates with good behavior, a policy criticized for enabling recidivism.
This incident adds to a series of citizen arrests that have increased in Havana due to the growing ineffectiveness of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR). Just last Wednesday, El Vedado residents caught another man stealing garbage bin wheels at the intersection of Jovellar and L and M streets. That suspect was handed over to the PNR at the Zapata and C unit, where he pleaded not to be filmed during his arrest.
On Saturday, in Camagüey's Reparto Modelo, an elderly man with a cane surprised a thief in his home, and neighbors restrained the suspect until authorities arrived.
Rising Crime Rates in Havana
El Vedado has seen several similar incidents. In June 2023, residents apprehended a cellphone thief on 23rd Street between E and F, who was carrying a backpack filled with stolen belongings. In May of the same year, another man was caught attempting to steal a taxi at the 23rd and M intersection.
This trend reflects an unprecedented public safety crisis in Cuba. According to the Cuban Citizen Audit Observatory (OCAC), 2,833 verified crimes were recorded in 2025, marking a 115% rise from 2024 and a 337% increase compared to 2023, with an average of seven to eight crimes daily. Thefts accounted for 1,536 cases, a 479% jump since 2023.
Havana reported 398 verified crimes in 2025, ranking as the third most affected province after Matanzas (503) and Granma (424). The Ministry of the Interior (MININT) acknowledged a 25% rise in property crimes in February 2026, attributing it to a “complex economic situation,” a rare admission that avoids addressing the regime's responsibility after decades of policies that have crippled the Cuban economy.
Mobile phone thefts are particularly prevalent due to the high value of these devices on Cuba's informal market, where a phone can be worth several months' wages. Real wages in Cuba fell by 33.5% between 2021 and 2024, fueling survival-driven crimes across the island.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Cuba
What is the current Penal Code in Cuba?
The current Penal Code in Cuba is Law No. 151/2022, which allows inmates with good behavior to take renewable leaves of up to 72 hours.
How has crime increased in Cuba in recent years?
In 2025, 2,833 verified crimes were recorded, a 115% increase from the previous year. Thefts have surged by 479% since 2023.
Why are mobile phone thefts common in Cuba?
Mobile phones are frequently targeted due to their high value on Cuba's informal market, where a phone can be equivalent to several months' salary.