Home of Santiago de Cuba's Municipal Assembly President Burglarized

Yaneydis Hechavarría, the President of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Santiago de Cuba, recently fell victim to a burglary, which sparked widespread public outrage. The swift police reaction to her case starkly contrasted with their usual inaction regarding similar crimes affecting ordinary citizens.

The burglary took place on Thursday night at her residence located on 6th Street, number 111, between C and D, in the Municipal District, an area infamously known as the Hoyo de Chicharrones, a neighborhood with high crime rates in Santiago.

Hechavarría confirmed the incident in a Facebook post on Saturday, stating, "Regrettably, yes, I was robbed; I reported the theft Thursday night."

The stolen items included a blender, two wall fans, bedspreads, sheets, clothing, perfumes, creams, personal items, and "a bag with 10 one-kilogram packages of rice and 12 of detergent purchased for family use," according to Hechavarría.

The official identified the main culprit as a 17-year-old neighbor: "The thief has confessed; he lives next door to me. It's a shame because I watched him grow up playing with my children." The confession led to the recovery of the two wall fans. Initially detained suspects — Ivan Ernesto, known as Moñita, and Dairon, alias Chupón — were released after proving their innocence.

Public Outcry Over Law Enforcement's Response

What ignited public anger wasn't the theft itself but the rapid state response. "That's when the patrol cars and officers quickly showed up," commented a neighbor.

Residents from the same neighborhood took to social media, expressing frustration that the police never responded when they faced similar robberies. One neighbor shared that they reported a theft in January and were still waiting for a response. Another highlighted, "My cousin was robbed in Chicharrones more than 25 days ago, and still, no one has come."

Speculation Over Accumulated Goods

The variety and quantity of goods in Hechavarría's possession also raised eyebrows. Some internet users speculated the house operated as a storage facility: "She doesn't live there; she uses it as a warehouse. It seems she has a small business."

There were rumors that the items — rice, detergent, and appliances — might have been donations intended for victims of Hurricane Melisa, which struck eastern Cuba in 2024. "I'm not justifying the theft, but she should also be investigated to determine where all that came from, because basic supplies are scarce," commented one user.

Instead of clarifying the origin of the goods, Hechavarría criticized independent journalist Yosmany Mayeta Labrada for lacking "ethics" after he reported the theft and organized a neighborhood meeting. She described herself as a "Revolutionary and defender of social justice" committed to remaining "on the front lines."

Social Media Reactions

The public response on social media was overwhelming. The saying "a thief who steals from a thief has 100 years of forgiveness" appeared in numerous comments. Others questioned the source of her wealth: "How does she afford a small business?" asked one user. Another was blunt: "This is why they don't want to relinquish power; they have everything."

A neighborhood resident summed up the general sentiment: "The theft is unjustifiable, but neither is it right to conduct a public trial in the streets while others hoard goods and the people suffer."

Mayeta Labrada addressed the official's criticism with a phrase capturing the essence of the situation: "In Cuba, it's not the robbery that's bothersome; it's the fact that it becomes known."