After confirming the brutal death of a woman who had been missing in Havana since last May, the Alas Tensas Gender Observatory (OGAT) reported on Monday that Cuba has seen its 34th femicide in 2026. This alarming number marks a dramatic 112.5% increase compared to the previous year.
The victim, Daisi María Isaac Brito, aged 56, was murdered in San Francisco de Paula, within the San Miguel del Padrón municipality of Cuba's capital. Family sources informed OGAT about the tragic event.
Social media shared reports stated that Daisi vanished on the evening of May 8, and tragically, her body was discovered with mutilations in an open field the following afternoon.
Investigations point to a neighbor with a history of violence as the alleged perpetrator. This individual, known to the victim for years, had even participated in the search efforts organized by Daisi’s family and community.
The observatory expressed concerns regarding the ongoing inquiry, highlighting the suspect’s past sexual violence against other women and girls and the potential involvement of drugs and other individuals in Daisi’s murder.
Furthermore, it was disclosed that the local community took justice into their own hands, a response stemming from their distrust in the Cuban legal system. The observatory called for institutional intervention to curb the violence plaguing this Havana neighborhood.
The Growing Threat of Femicide in Cuba
June has become one of the deadliest months of the year due to a series of violent acts. The recent murder of Arnelys Nancy Vega González, 25, in Central Havana, had previously raised the count to 33. Earlier, the killing of Rosaidis Donatien, 23, in Palma Soriano shocked Santiago de Cuba.
As of June 15, OGAT has documented 34 confirmed femicides, alongside 19 attempted femicides, and one gender-based murder of a man. According to OGAT specialist Yanelys Núñez, these numbers reflect a 112.5% increase from the same period in 2025, which saw only 16 cases by this time.
The organization is also investigating an additional 12 potential femicides, five attempted femicides, and a gender-based murder of a man reported in 2025, as well as nine potential femicides and two attempts reported in 2026.
In 2025, OGAT registered 48 femicides in Cuba, with 83.3% of these crimes committed by partners or ex-partners. Most occurred in the victim’s home (62.5%), and a significant number involved sharp weapons (64.6%).
Lack of Government Action and Legal Framework
The Cuban government has not released accessible official statistics on these crimes, leaving independent organizations like OGAT as the primary source of systematic documentation.
Femicide is not recognized as a separate offense under the Penal Code enacted in 2022. Moreover, Cuba lacks a comprehensive gender violence law and institutional shelters for at-risk women. Feminist groups link these shortcomings directly to the escalating domestic violence amid the island's severe social crisis.
Understanding Femicide in Cuba: Key Questions Answered
What is the current state of femicide in Cuba?
Cuba has recorded 34 femicides in 2026, marking a significant increase of 112.5% compared to the previous year.
What are the major contributing factors to the rise in femicide cases?
The lack of a legal framework recognizing femicide as a distinct crime, absence of comprehensive gender violence laws, and no institutional support for women in danger are key factors contributing to the rise.
How is the community responding to the increase in violence?
Due to distrust in the Cuban legal system, communities have been resorting to vigilante justice to address the violence.