In a tragic incident, Maribel Pérez Linares, aged 33, was brutally murdered by her former partner on June 17 in La Lima, a small community within Nueva Paz, Mayabeque province. This information was confirmed by the Gender Observatory of Alas Tensas (OGAT), who received the news through local sources.
The tragedy extended beyond Maribel's death, as her current partner was also violently attacked with a knife during the incident. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital, adding to what OGAT has labeled as another instance of lethal gender-based violence.
Maribel leaves behind two young children.
With this incident, the number of confirmed femicides in Cuba for 2026 has reached 35, according to OGAT's records. Their data also reports 19 attempted femicides and two male killings related to gender-based violence.
Escalation of Violence in June
June has emerged as one of the most violent months this year, with at least five femicides confirmed in just the first 17 days. Maribel's case marks the fifth instance this month.
Her murder follows the deaths of Daisi María Isaac Brito, 56, who vanished on May 8 and was found mutilated the next day in a vacant lot in San Francisco de Paula, La Habana, and Arnelys Nancy Vega González, 25, who was killed by her partner on June 7 in Centro Habana.
Alarming Increase in Femicide Rates
The tally of 34 femicides—recently increased to 35 with the Nueva Paz case—in the first half of this year marks a staggering 112.5% rise compared to the same timeframe in 2025, when OGAT documented 16 cases, according to specialist Yanelys Núñez speaking to Martí Noticias.
The pattern remains disturbingly consistent: in 2025, 83.3% of femicides were committed by partners or ex-partners, 62.5% occurred at the victim's home, and 64.6% involved the use of a knife. Maribel's case fits this profile exactly.
Lack of Official Data and Legal Protections
OGAT warns that the actual numbers could be significantly higher due to the country's limited internet access and frequent power outages, which hinder crime reporting and documentation.
The Cuban government does not release accessible official statistics on femicides, maintaining a confidential internal record unavailable to the public and independent organizations.
Moreover, femicide is not recognized as a standalone crime in the Cuban Penal Code, effective since November 2022. It is only considered an aggravating factor under Article 345.2, with penalties ranging from 20 to 30 years in prison, life imprisonment, or death.
In May 2022, the National Assembly rejected a proposal to classify femicide as an independent crime. Cuba also lacks comprehensive gender violence laws and institutional shelters for women at risk.
Since April 16, 2026, OGAT has been virtually the sole entity systematically documenting these incidents following the cessation of the "Yo Sí Te Creo en Cuba" Femicide Observatory, which closed due to emotional burnout, resource constraints, and repression. Between 2019 and 2025, the two organizations together recorded 315 femicides.
Understanding the Femicide Crisis in Cuba
What is the current situation regarding femicides in Cuba?
As of now, Cuba has confirmed 35 femicides in 2026, with a significant increase compared to previous years. The majority of these crimes are committed by partners or ex-partners and often occur within the victim's home.
Why are the official statistics on femicides in Cuba not available?
The Cuban government maintains an internal record of femicides that is not accessible to the public or independent organizations. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to obtain accurate data.
Are there any legal protections against femicide in Cuba?
Femicide is not classified as an independent crime in Cuba. It is only an aggravating factor under current laws, and there are no comprehensive gender violence laws or institutional shelters for at-risk women.