Kevin CG Cardoso Gómez, the proprietor of Kevin CG Jewelry in Cienfuegos, has publicly disclosed that his store fell victim to a theft and is seeking assistance in identifying the culprits.
The Cuban jeweler shared in a Facebook video that he received an early morning call on Sunday from a neighbor who informed him that the store's gate was damaged and the doors were left open. By the time he arrived, all the gold was gone.
"They robbed my jewelry store... and they clearly knew exactly what they were doing," the visibly distraught owner recounted, acknowledging the significant blow to his years of hard work and personal sacrifice.
The thieves operated with precision, clearing out all repair drawers, seizing customer orders, items under maintenance, new stock, and anything of value.
"Every repair drawer, everything on the workbench, anything of value," Cardoso Gómez confirmed.
To gain entry, the perpetrators destroyed an iron gate and the main door lock. They likely used considerable force and possibly made noise while breaking in, yet it seems no one noticed.
The theft impacted not only the business owner but also his clients, whose items had been left for repair or maintenance.
In response, Cardoso Gómez took public responsibility: "I will compensate the clients for every repair that was stolen with the full amount of money."
In his statement, the jeweler emphasized the human cost behind the business affected by the theft.
"It's not just my sacrifice here; it's the sacrifice of not spending time with my daughter or family." He described sleepless nights, constant work, and giving up trips and family moments to grow his enterprise.
He addressed the culprits directly: "If you're listening to me as a thief, believe me, life will catch up to you." He warned, "This won't just end here; you'll have to tread very carefully."
In a follow-up post, Cardoso Gómez offered a reward for truthful and verifiable information about those responsible, assuring confidentiality.
"Even bandits have enemies. This isn't about creating unnecessary problems but finding a real solution," he wrote.
The incident in Cienfuegos is part of a broader trend of thefts targeting private businesses in Cuba, which owners have increasingly reported on social media due to ineffective institutional responses.
In April, the owner of NaEs Closet in Santa Martha, Matanzas, reported a similar theft at her business.
In December 2025, a café in Marianao was robbed while the owners were at the hospital with their sick child, and in March 2025, a manicurist's business in Havana was looted, leaving her without any supplies.
Private businesses in Cuba operate in a highly vulnerable environment, plagued by shortages, power outages, and increasing insecurity, making them frequent targets for crime, with little visible response from authorities.
Understanding the Rise of Business Thefts in Cuba
What measures is Cardoso Gómez taking in response to the theft?
Cardoso Gómez has taken public responsibility and pledged to reimburse his clients for any stolen repairs, and he has also offered a reward for information leading to the perpetrators.
How are private businesses in Cuba affected by the current situation?
Private businesses in Cuba face a precarious environment marked by shortages, frequent power outages, and increasing crime, making them more vulnerable to thefts without effective institutional protection.
What has been the response of business owners to the thefts?
Business owners have turned to social media to report thefts and seek assistance, as traditional institutional responses have proven inadequate.