The Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) announced on Tuesday the confirmation of two additional femicides in Cuba, occurring mere hours apart. These tragic events have increased the total number of confirmed cases in 2026 to 25, highlighting the intensification of "femicidal violence in a context of humanitarian crisis."
On Monday, official sources reported the discovery of the lifeless body of Yarenia García Mariné, aged 36, in Palancón, Las Tunas. She had gone missing on May 15 after leaving her home in the Buena Vista neighborhood, intending to go to the small park on Calle 7, and never returned.
The search for her involved numerous community members, who received public acknowledgment from OGAT for their efforts. The alleged perpetrator, an acquaintance of the victim, has been apprehended. Yarenia leaves behind a teenage son.
The Facebook profile "Claridad Tunera," representing the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) in Las Tunas, confirmed Yarenia's death and the arrest of the suspect. However, it refrained from labeling the crime as femicide, a common practice in the Cuban regime's official communications.
The statement noted that "the prompt action by authorities, supported by the population, led to the capture of the criminal," without ever addressing the gender-based nature of the crime.
Another Tragic Loss in Holguín
The OGAT also verified the femicide of Yadira González Gámez, aged 41, who was murdered on May 17 in the rural neighborhood of Cañada de Melones, in Gibara, Holguín, also by a known man. The assailant is currently in police custody.
Yadira is survived by two children, a 24-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son. Social media comments from acquaintances describe her as "a beloved woman in her community."
Calls for Urgent Action
In its statement, the observatory stressed "the urgent need for specific and effective protocols for disappearances in Cuba, with special emphasis on women, girls, boys, and adolescents, who are the most vulnerable in these situations."
They also demanded an end to the repression against families and individuals who assist in searches with their limited resources.
As of this Tuesday, OGAT has confirmed five femicides in May alone. On May 12, a mother of a five-month-old baby was killed in Arroyo Naranjo, Havana, by her ex-partner, another case that shocked the public.
The previous month was the most violent of the year, with at least seven cases recorded, including a double femicide in Batabanó on April 22, when Rosalí Peña Hernández, 31, and her 12-year-old daughter Camila Aguilera Peña were murdered by Rosalí's partner.
By May 19, OGAT had documented 25 confirmed femicides, 17 attempted femicides, and one gender-related murder of a man in 2026. The organization is also investigating 12 potential femicides, five attempts, and one male gender-related murder reported in 2025; and eight potential femicides and three attempts reported in 2026.
The statistical pattern remains consistent: 83.3% of these crimes are committed by a partner or ex-partner, 62.5% occur in the victim's home, and 64.6% involve the use of bladed weapons.
Cuba's legal framework exacerbates this structural issue: femicide is not classified as a distinct crime in the Penal Code effective since 2022, and the country lacks a comprehensive gender violence law, shelters for women at risk, and effective protection protocols. Additionally, the state does not release official statistics on these crimes.
Understanding Cuba's Femicide Crisis
What is the current situation of femicides in Cuba?
As of May 2026, Cuba has confirmed 25 femicides, highlighting a growing crisis of gender-based violence in the country.
Why is femicide not recognized in Cuba's legal system?
Cuba's legal system does not classify femicide as an autonomous crime in its Penal Code, lacking comprehensive laws and protection protocols for gender-based violence.
How does the Cuban regime's communication impact femicide awareness?
Official communications often avoid labeling crimes as femicides, which can hinder awareness and the acknowledgment of gender violence issues.